Workers’ Compensation Fraud: A Florida framing contractor will serve 48 months in prison and pay millions in fines and restitution after failing to provide workers’ compensation insurance and neglecting workplace safety—resulting in a worker’s death.
A Pattern of Negligence
Workers’ Compensation Fraud: For years, Manuel Domingos Pita, owner of Domingos 54 Construction, ignored Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Despite receiving six previous citations, he still refused to provide fall protection gear for employees working on roofs.
In 2020, a worker installing roof decking on a windy day fell after a gust of wind blew him off the roof. The worker did not survive.
Workers’ Comp Fraud & Tax Evasion
In addition to neglecting safety, Pita also engaged in a massive fraud scheme. Prosecutors revealed that he:
- Defrauded insurance carriers of $22 million by underreporting payroll
- Avoided paying $33 million in federal taxes on wages
- Lied about payroll numbers when purchasing workers’ compensation coverage
As a result, authorities charged him with fraud and willful workplace violations. Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Sweeney emphasized that his deliberate deception harmed workers while enriching himself.
OSHA Violations & Legal Consequences
Although OSHA cited Pita’s company multiple times in 2019 for failing to provide fall protection, he ignored the safety mandates and never paid the fines. Consequently, the violations continued until a worker tragically lost his life.
His legal troubles escalated as follows:
- 2022: Authorities indicted him for fraud.
- 2024: He agreed to a settlement with OSHA, promising to pay penalties plus interest.
- Sentencing: The court ordered him to forfeit $5 million and pay $55 million in restitution.
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