Albany, NY – Leroy Nelson, owner of J.R.N. Construction, was sentenced this week by Judge Andra Ackerman to a three-year conditional discharge and ordered to repay New York State $9,000 in restitution following his plea of guilty to the charge of Attempted Failure to Secure Compensation, a Class E felony. This is Nelson’s second conviction for failing to secure lawfully required Workers Compensation Insurance for his employees

“The workers’ compensation system is a vital safety net for New Yorkers who are legitimately injured while doing their part to keep New York thriving,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “I am grateful to Albany County District Attorney David Soares for his partnership in protecting this critical asset, rooting out employer misconduct, and securing restitution for New York State taxpayers.”

Here, Leroy Nelson submitted certified payroll documents to the NYS Department of Labor indicating that his company, J.R.N. Construction, employed six people on a contracted rehabilitation project at SUNY Albany. When the project started J.R.N. had a workers’ compensation policy with the NYS Insurance Fund, but it was cancelled for non-payment of the premiums. After the policy was canceled, between December 22, 2020, and at least April 1, 2021, J.R.N. continued to employ workers without securing workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

The matter was handled Bryan Richmond, Attorney-in-Charge for Workers’ Compensation Fraud for the Inspector General and other staff, with assistance from the Department of Labor, the New York State Insurance Fund and the New York State Police.