Joseph Kerrissey, whose company J Kerrissey LLC worked for Callahan on multiple projects, allegedly owes workers more than $100,000 in connection with a wage theft scheme dating back to 2011, according to an investigation from the MA Attorney General’s office. Kerrissey and his companies are also being charged with larceny and unemployment fraud for failing to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
The investigation found that Kerrissey owes approximately $105,000 to 31 workers, with an average amount of $3,000 per worker. Additionally, by failing to contribute to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, contractors like Kerrissey hurt legitimate companies who pay their fair share, raising rates for everybody.
In December of 2015, a number of workers came forward to say that they had not been paid for their work. Following those complaints, Joseph Kerrissey sent threatening text messages to those workers for speaking out, and continued to make excuses for not paying the workers.
“This defendant allegedly engaged in a pattern of refusing to pay his workers the wages they were rightfully owed and used a variety of methods to dissuade them from seeking to obtain those wages,” said MA Attorney General Maura Healey. “People who work hard should be able to provide for themselves and their families and we will continue to hold accountable employers who exploit their workers.”
J Kerrissey LLC has been used on Callahan projects dating back to at least 2011, including Hanover High School, the Quincy YMCA, and Chelmsford Woods Multi-Family Housing. Kerrissey and his companies (J Kerrissey LLC and Sunrise Equipment & Excavation, Inc) were indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury.
Below is the full list of charges facing Joseph Kerrissey and his companies. Subcontractors like Kerrissey are part of Callahan’s business model.
Full list of charges:
Joseph B. Kerrissey, III
- Non-payment of Employer Unemployment Contribution
- Larceny by Check over $250
- Larceny by Check under $250
- Failure to Submit True and Accurate Certified Payroll Records to the Awarding Authority
- Failure to Submit True and Accurate Certified Payroll Records to the Attorney General
- Failure to Pay Prevailing Wages
- Failure to Pay Wages
- Failure to Pay Overtime
- Failure to Provide a Suitable Paystub
J. Kerrissey, LLC
- Non-payment of Employer Unemployment Contribution
- Larceny by Check over $250
- Larceny by Check under $250
- Failure to Submit True and Accurate Certified Payroll Records to the Awarding Authority
- Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage
- Failure to Pay Wages
- Failure to Pay Overtime
- Failure to Provide a Suitable Paystub
Sunrise Equipment & Excavation, Inc.
- Failure to Submit True and Accurate Certified Payroll Records to the Awarding Authority
- Failure to Submit True and Accurate Certified Payroll Records to the Attorney General
- Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage
