CleanTech Bosses Stole $1.1M from Rikers Workers

New York – In a stunning victory for exploited workers, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the recovery of nearly $1.13 million in wages stolen from CleanTech employees who cleaned Rikers Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation revealed that CleanTech not only failed to pay its workers fair wages but also demanded illegal kickbacks and denied them paid sick leave, while crew chiefs retaliated against those who dared complain. The AG’s office has since secured $1,029,175 in restitution for approximately 250 workers.

“CleanTech threatened, coerced, and stole from its Rikers COVID-19 cleaners,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “The Attorney General has righted this wrong, and we will provide CleanTech with training to ensure they comply with labor laws in the future.”

The OAG’s probe began in 2022 after a complaint from Catholic Migration Services about an illegal kickback policy. They found that CleanTech had been underpaying workers on public contracts at Rikers Island, employing crew chiefs who forced workers to pay kickbacks and retaliate against those who spoke up.

One worker recounted being threatened with job loss if she did not hand over $120 from her weekly paycheck, while another was told he needed to return a larger share of his overtime earnings. Both faced the constant pressure of crew chiefs demanding more money as their pay increased.

“We commend the Attorney General’s office for standing up against wage theft and workplace abuses,” said Alice Davis of Catholic Migration Services. “This case is a testament to the importance of speaking out against exploitation.”