FORMER COUNTY CONTRACTOR ARRAIGNED FOR DEFRAUDING WORKERS

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore and New York State Department of Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced that Mohammed Saleem (DOB 05/08/61) and Mutual General Construction Corporation of 558 Van Nest Avenue, Bronx, New York were arraigned today on five counts of Offering a False Instrument For Filing in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies, five counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies and two counts of Willful Failure to Pay Prevailing Wages and Supplements, a violation of New York State Labor Law, section 220(3), class “A” Misdemeanors.

Between April 6, 2007 and July 20, 2007, the defendant, owner and operator of Mutual General Construction Corporation, while working on a Westchester County bid renovation project for the Department of Social Services at 112 East Post Road in White Plains, submitted false certified payroll records to the Westchester County Department of Public Works, which was overseeing the project.

Saleem stated that he was paying his approximately sixteen daily workers the prevailing wage, when in fact he was forcing the workers to kickback amounts over their agreed upon rate. The amount totaled approximately $150 per day per worker.

The total amount of money owed to the workers is $437,826.51. 

Saleem’s scheme was brought to the attention of the Department of Public Works by some of the laborers.

DPW then notified the Westchester County Police who initiated an investigation which lead to an arrest and subsequent indictment.

The New York State Department of Labor Public Works Bureau also assisted in the investigation.

Saleem and Mutual General Construction no longer work for Westchester County.

Bail was continued at $5,000.

Saleem’s next court date is November 10th, 2008.

He faces a maximum of one and one half to four years in state prison.

Assistant District Attorney Gwendolyn Galef, Acting Chief of the Economic Crimes Bureau will prosecute the case.

  Mohammed Saleem

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of

Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is

merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed

innocent until and unless proven guilty.