Alba Services Bilks Workers: $1.4M Settlement Reached

NEW YORK – Alba Services, Inc., owner Andrew Horan, and a network of related New York City construction and demolition companies are shelling out $1.4 million after a damning investigation by Attorney General Letitia James revealed a decade of systematic abuse of its workforce. The firm stands accused of widespread workers’ compensation fraud, brutal retaliation against injured employees, and a callous disregard for preventing sexual harassment on its job sites. More than 700 current and former Alba employees will share in the restitution.

The Attorney General’s Office (OAG) investigation, sparked by a referral from Construction & General Building Laborers’ Local 79 in 2022, uncovered a pattern of deliberately underreporting workplace injuries to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). Between 2016 and 2024, Alba failed to report hundreds of injuries, instructing employees not to file legitimate claims. The OAG found Alba reported less than half of the injuries it was legally obligated to disclose, artificially suppressing insurance costs and gaining an unfair edge over competitors.

But the financial maneuvering was only the beginning. Alba allegedly retaliated against those who dared to file claims, employing tactics ripped from a mob playbook. The OAG documented at least 60 instances where Alba unlawfully disclosed workers’ names, even posting flyers publicly accusing injured employees of fraud and offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. Owner Andrew Horan reportedly sent text messages to foremen, revealing workers’ identities and incentivizing them to gather dirt on injured employees. The company also allegedly interfered with medical treatment, sending representatives to doctor’s appointments to control the narrative and steer workers to clinics with pre-existing agreements – even when emergency room care was needed.

The OAG’s probe didn’t stop at physical injuries. Investigators uncovered a culture of sexual harassment, with at least two workers detailing repeated harassment by a foreman who allegedly sent inappropriate messages, made unwanted comments on their appearance, and engaged in unwanted physical contact. When the women rejected his advances, the foreman allegedly retaliated by assigning them the most grueling tasks. The harassment fostered a hostile work environment, with male colleagues reportedly bullying or ridiculing women associated with the foreman.

Under the terms of the settlement, Alba must pay $1.4 million in restitution to affected workers and $100,000 for a settlement administrator. Beyond the financial penalties, Alba is mandated to implement sweeping reforms to ensure compliance with New York’s labor and human rights laws. “For nearly a decade, Alba silenced injured workers, manipulated insurance costs, and allowed a culture of harassment to fester on its worksites,” said Attorney General James. “We have made sure that Alba can no longer threaten, intimidate, or exploit its workforce.”

This isn’t just about money, it’s about accountability. The OAG’s investigation sends a clear message: exploiting workers and fostering a hostile environment won’t be tolerated. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose those who put profits over people. The full settlement details are available on the NY Attorney General’s website.