Taunton Company Ordered to Pay for Wage Violations

TAUNTON — Attorney General Maura Healey has announced that JM Crites Roofing and Construction Company has been ordered to pay back $35,000 in restitution and penalties following an investigation. The AG's Office issued five citations against the father and son owned company.

The Attorney General's Office began an investigation after information was brought to their attention stating the Taunton based company did not pay the prevailing wage to employees for a public project in Gardner. The allegations also noted the company did not pay its employees at a required rate. After receiving multiple demands to turn over proof of payroll and timekeeping records, JM Crites failed to provide those documents.

The Attorney's General's Office concluded that father and son owners Larry and Jared Crites purposely did not keep payroll records and lied about not having employees. When they did keep records, the investigation found that the records were false and misinterpreted the workers' hours. A closer look also found JM Crites workers were paid far below what is required, on one occasion by nearly $11,000.