NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 52-year-old contractor was arraigned by a Queens Supreme Court grand jury on Wednesday for allegedly extorting his workers by forcing them to pay him to get hired or continue working.
Komal Singh demanded $50 for each day worked by his employees, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. If they refused, they were either fired or kept off the schedule, prosecutors believe.
Singh and his company were contracted to do construction work at P.S. 071 in Ridgewood from March 2019 to February 2020.
“The victims worked hard for their money and as alleged, the defendant demanded they kick some of it back to him or face termination,” said Katz. “This kind of exploitation is illegal.”
Katz charged Singh with grand larceny and violating New York labor law.
He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
His next court date is scheduled for June 1.
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