Richard Zagger, 58, Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Attempting to Cover Up Role in Fatal Long Island Construction Incident

RICHARD ZAGGER, a 58-year-old supervisor for Northridge Construction Corporation, was sentenced yesterday to one year in prison and two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to a four-count indictment charging him with conspiracy and obstruction of official proceedings relating to an investigation into a fatal construction accident.

The incident occurred at Northridge Construction Corporation’s office property in East Patchogue, Long Island, New York, where one of the employees fell from the improperly secured shed roof and died. Zagger was responsible for overseeing the Northridge employees who were assembling a metal shed at the time of the accident.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), several violations of worker safety standards were identified, including the failure to maintain the stability of a metal structure at all times during construction. Zagger made false statements and conspired with others to make false statements to obstruct OSHA’s investigation of the accident.

Northridge Construction Corporation was previously sentenced to pay a $100,000 fine and complete a five-year term of probation for violating a worker safety standard causing the death of an employee and making false statements during the subsequent investigation.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) made the announcement, stating that Zagger’s actions were a serious breach of trust and a threat to public safety. Senior Trial Attorneys Daniel Dooher and Richard J. Powers and Trial Attorney Rachel Roberts of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

Zagger’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing worker safety and the consequences of attempting to cover up such incidents. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

For more information, contact the Environment and Natural Resources Division at (202) 616-5000.

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