Police Log

Posted

Landscaping exec pleads guilty to falsification, wire fraud charges

A man charged with scheming to avoid paying benefits to union employees on federally funded projects, as well as submitting false information to the state regarding the employment status of some workers to avoid paying wages, has pleaded guilty in federal court.

Steven F. Pagliarini, 57, entered the pleas to three counts of falsification of documents and one count of wire fraud on Jan. 28, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15.

Pagliarini is executive vice president and treasurer of Central Landscape Construction Company in Johnston, and executive vice president of Central Nurseries Inc., located in Chepachet and Johnston.

Authorities alleged that Pagliarini “orchestrated a scheme in which Central Landscaping avoided paying contractually obligated union benefits for employees of two unions who worked on federally-funded projects, by paying a portion of the employees’ wages through Central Nursery, a non-union company.” The employees in question worked on the Hartford Park project in Providence and the I-195 relocation project, both of which were federally funded.

According to a release from Neronha’s office, Pagliarini admitted in court that “at various times, between January 2007 and December 2010, he submitted false documents to union welfare and pension plan administrators of two unions that represent construction equipment operators and other employees of Central Landscaping.” Those documents “did not accurately reflect the actual number of hours worked by some employees and the actual amount of wages paid to those employees,” the release indicates.

The release continues: “Pagliarini also admitted to the court that in a separate scheme, in order to avoid paying wages to some employees between November 2009 through April 2010, he falsely reported to the RIDLT that the employees of Central Nurseries had been laid-off because of a lack of work. Pagliarini admitted to the court that he required the employees to work part-time and he did not pay them. Based on documents filed with RIDLT, employees were paid a total of $68,487 in unemployment compensation.”

Contractor charged after complaint

Patrolman David Galligan reports receiving a complaint at police hadquarters on July 29, 2015, from a homeowner who had written two checks totaling $11,760 to a private contractor for renovations to his kitchen and dining room.

The homeowner told the patrolman the contractor provided repeated excuses for not completing the work for which he had been paid.

The homeowner also told Galligan the contractor had rented a disposal container in his name that was never utilized. The homeowner indicated he had paid the disposal company nearly $1,300 to avoid a civil lawsuit.

The homeowner indicated he wished to pursue a criminal complaint against the contractor, and an arrest warrant was subsequently issued.

Patrolman Jared DeAngelis reports Samuel E. Nouel, 30, of 41 Highland Ave., Apt. 12, in North Providence, turned himself in on the warrant on Jan. 21, 2016.

Nouel is charged with a felony count of obtaining money under false pretenses (over $1,500). He was arraigned that day and released on $15,000 personal recognizance.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here