Felix Day
July 17, 2025
New York (WRGB) — Quirino Rotondo, owner of Metro Industrial Wrecking & Environmental Construction, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison and two years of supervised release for his involvement in a large-scale insurance fraud and tax evasion scheme. Rotondo was also ordered to pay $1,235,804.30 in restitution after pleading guilty to eight counts of felony tax evasion.
The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the Offices of the Inspector General (OIG), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Rotondo was found to have falsely classified high-risk demolition workers as low-risk employees to obtain lower workers' compensation insurance premiums. He also insured his workers under unrelated companies, shielding his business from liability and endangering employees.
The scheme was uncovered after a tragic incident where an employee was killed while removing a sign from a brewery. The investigation revealed that Rotondo's employees, including the victim, were not properly listed under the company's insurance, resulting in denied claims and delayed benefits.
New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang said, “Employers have a legal duty and a moral imperative to protect workers, especially when their jobs put their lives on the line. Let the outcome of this tragedy serve as a stark reminder that New York does not tolerate employers who prioritize profit over human life.”
Inspector General Lang expressed gratitude to the IRS-CI, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their role in the investigation, as well as her staff, including Downstate Deputy Chief of Investigations Dave Regazzi and Senior Investigative Counsel Jaclyn Belson.
