Dozens of Brooklyn construction workers spent two weeks doing backbreaking demolition work on an old Crown Heights hospital, only to be stiffed by the sketchy contractor, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Anthony Miller, 51, of Colorado was arraigned Wednesday on fraud charges for promising the workers wages of up to $20 an hour to convert the old St. Mary’s Hospital into a veteran’s center, said the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office in a press release.
When the workers started complaining about not getting paid, Miller handed out checks that later bounced, officials said.
He owed them more than $100,000, authorities said.
A Brooklyn Supreme Court judge set Miller’s bail at $50,000.
After the suspect was told of his next court date, he incredulously asked his lawyer, “I have to go until Oct. 15?”
“Yes,” his lawyer answered.
“Oh, my god,” Miller said sadly as he was led out of court in handcuffs.
Miller faces up to four years behind bars if convicted.
“This defendant preyed on and exploited people who needed to work to provide for their families and denied them wages that they rightfully earned after weeks of labor,” said DA Ken Thompson in the statement.
“We will not allow the hardworking people of Brooklyn to get ripped off by anyone, including any dishonest employer.”