(NEW YORK CITY) - The final defendant alleged by prosecutors to be involved in scheme selling fake Construction Safety Certifications to roughly 20,000 Workers in New York City has pleaded guilty, concluding a case that drew the attention of Building Trades Unions over the consequences of fake training in an already dangerous industry. Richard Marini, 73, the former Training Director of Valor Security & Investigations, pleaded guilty to 20 counts of offering a false instrument for filing and one count of reckless endangerment. He is expected to be sentenced to 1½ to three years in State Prison. Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Marini issued safety certificates and cards to 20,000 people between December 2019 and April 2023, charging Workers between $300 and $600 for documentation stating that they had completed the required 40 hours of Construction Safety Training when they had not actually received the training. The case has drawn criticism from the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, whose President - Gary LaBarbera, said fake Training Programs put Workers at risk while setting up a massive system of exploitation: “This sham safety school is yet another shameful instance of unscrupulous actors prioritizing their greed over the well-being of hard-working New Yorkers who are just looking to support their families and make ends meet.” The Union Leader said the Construction Industry should have “zero tolerance for fraud,” particularly when it involves safety training.

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