Secured 24 Ripped Off NYC School Security Guards: $400K Settlement

NEW YORK – They were supposed to be protecting our kids, but Secured 24, LLC was busy robbing its own employees. New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a $400,000 settlement against the security firm and its two principal owners for systematically underpaying over 100 school security guards working in New York City’s non-public schools. The scheme saw Secured 24 pocketing funds intended for worker benefits while simultaneously billing schools as if those benefits were being paid.

The Attorney General’s Office (OAG) investigation revealed that between 2016 and 2018, Secured 24 deliberately failed to provide supplemental benefits – health insurance, retirement contributions, paid sick leave – mandated under the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Non-Public School (NPS) security guard program. Secured 24 then falsified payroll records and timesheets, falsely claiming full payment of prevailing wages, and submitted these doctored documents to schools seeking reimbursement from DCAS. It was a brazen double-dip, lining the pockets of Secured 24’s owners at the expense of the very people tasked with keeping students safe.

“Secured 24 illegally withheld earned wages and benefits from hard-working New Yorkers who devoted their careers to keeping others safe,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “When employers fail to fulfill their legal obligations, they are both cheating their workers and undermining the integrity of our labor market. My office will always protect workers from wage theft and hold employers accountable for their obligations.” The investigation stemmed from an initial probe by DCAS in 2018, which flagged discrepancies in Secured 24’s billing. The case was then handed off to the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and, ultimately, to the OAG in 2022.

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber added, “DOI’s investigation found that this security guard company failed to pay its workers hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplemental benefits, as required by law; today the New York Attorney General acts to make those workers whole.” Strauber emphasized that companies engaging in wage theft will be held accountable, sending a clear message that exploitation won’t be tolerated. DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina echoed this sentiment, stating, “The message here is clear: if you want to contract with the city, pay your employees correctly and follow our rules.”

Under the terms of the settlement, each of Secured 24’s two principal owners will personally contribute $200,000 in restitution, to be distributed to the eligible security guards over a two-year period. This isn’t just about the money, though. It’s about accountability. It’s about sending a message that stealing from hardworking people, especially those entrusted with the safety of our children, carries a hefty price. While $400,000 provides some redress, it doesn’t fully compensate for the years of financial insecurity these guards endured.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing problem of wage theft in New York City, and Attorney General James’ commitment to cracking down on employers who exploit their workers. It’s a victory for these security guards, but the fight for fair labor practices is far from over. Grimy Times will continue to expose these schemes and hold those responsible accountable, one settlement at a time.”

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