New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott today announced the arrest of a Morrisville business owner on charges he failed to provide required Workers’ Compensation coverage for the employees of the food truck catering service he owns.
Robert A. Moore, 60, of Morrisville, was charged in Schoharie Village Court with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and the Workers’ Compensation crime of Fraudulent Practices, felonies, and Failure to Secure Compensation, a misdemeanor.
An investigation by Inspector General Leahy Scott found that Moore, owner of Stockyard BBQ and Catering, a food truck business that primarily operates at fairs and festivals, submitted a mobile food service permit application to the Schoharie County Health Department on May 8, 2017 and certified in the application that his business is exempt from Workers’ Compensation coverage because it has no employees. Under New York State law, businesses are required to provide Workers’ Compensation coverage for employees. However, employees besides Moore were observed working in the truck. Moore’s company has not had Workers’ Compensation coverage since late 2015.
“This employer allegedly used fraud and deceit to increase his profits while leaving his workers unprotected by critical and mandatory coverage,” said Inspector General Leahy Scott. “I will use my office and powers to pursue anyone who fails to provide required Workers’ Compensation coverage for hard-working New Yorkers.”
Moore was arraigned Monday evening in Schoharie Village Court and released pending his reappearance in court on Dec. 4, 2017.
Inspector General Leahy Scott thanked the Schoharie County Health Department for their assistance with the investigation, the New York State Police for their assistance with the arrest, and Schoharie County District Attorney James Sackett and his office for prosecuting this matter.
The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
