In a shocking development, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has revealed a fraudulent scheme that potentially endangered thousands of lives. A new indictment has accused Valor Security and Investigations, a company responsible for providing construction safety training, of issuing thousands of safety certificates to workers without conducting the necessary training. The implications are deadly, with prosecutors pointing to the tragic death of a construction worker who fell from the 15th floor of a building, raising questions about the role of safety fraud in his demise.
In November 2022, 36-year-old construction worker Ivan Frias lost his life in a tragic fall from an Upper West Side building. According to documents filed by Valor, Frias had been trained in fall prevention, a critical safety measure for any high-risk job in the construction industry. However, investigators now claim that this training never took place.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg underscored the severity of the issue, stating, "In an industry like this, fraud has dire consequences. Indeed, fraud can mean life or death." His comments reflect the grim reality that cutting corners in construction safety can cost lives. In the case of Frias, had proper training been provided, his death might have been avoided.
The indictment sheds light on a pervasive issue in the construction sector. Valor Security and Investigations, under the leadership of its president Alexander Shaporov, is accused of falsifying documents to churn out safety certifications for thousands of workers. Prosecutors argue that the company’s goal was to profit from high-demand safety training without fulfilling the requirements.
One piece of evidence that stands out is an email from Shaporov to his staff, instructing them to fabricate OSHA safety certifications: “Whoever doesn’t have OSHA, MAKE ONE UP.” This blatant disregard for safety standards reveals a deeply troubling mindset. The scheme extended to speeding up the process for a price. Investigators revealed a text exchange where Valor’s training director, Richard Marini, was asked how quickly he could provide a 40-hour training certification. His response? "Tomorrow after 5 p.m."—an impossibility when considering the thoroughness such training requires.
District Attorney Bragg emphasized the seriousness of this fraudulent practice, noting that safety training designed to take place over 40 hours cannot be condensed into less than a day. Yet, according to prosecutors, Valor issued safety certification cards to as many as 20,000 people over five years.
For many, the construction industry represents opportunity, a path to a stable income, and often, the chance to work on iconic projects that define New York City’s skyline. However, it’s also one of the most dangerous industries, with workers facing daily risks from falls, equipment malfunctions, and hazardous environments. Proper training is the first line of defense against such dangers, and skirting these protocols is more than just a legal violation—it’s a betrayal of the workers’ trust and safety.
Prosecutors allege that 19 individuals, including a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) foreman, were involved as brokers, connecting construction workers to Valor’s fraudulent services. This suggests a larger network of people prioritizing quick profits over human lives.
James Oddo, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB), expressed his outrage, stating, “I think every New Yorker has a right to be a little bit disgusted.” He went on to urge anyone who received a safety card from Valor to seek retraining immediately. The danger of improperly trained workers handling heavy machinery, working on high scaffolds, and navigating precarious environments cannot be overstated.
In response to this scandal, the city’s Department of Investigations has provided a series of recommendations to the DOB to prevent similar fraudulent schemes in the future. However, this case highlights the need for more comprehensive oversight across the construction industry. Regulatory bodies must enforce stricter checks on safety training providers, ensure certifications are legitimate, and penalize companies that prioritize profit over safety.
For construction companies and workers, this case serves as a stark reminder that safety training is not a formality to be rushed through—it is an essential safeguard. Cutting corners can have irreversible consequences, as shown by Ivan Frias’ tragic death.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight is on companies like Valor, which exploit loopholes and gamble with workers’ lives. An attorney representing Marini, Valor’s training director, indicated that he intends to defend his client and is eager to provide more context for the incriminating text messages. Still, the severity of the allegations leaves little doubt that sweeping changes are needed in the construction industry to prevent more avoidable tragedies.
For New Yorkers, this scandal may provoke a mixture of shock and outrage. Construction projects are a constant presence in the city, and the idea that so many workers may have been put at risk due to fraudulent safety practices is deeply unsettling. But this case can also serve as a turning point. By taking this issue seriously, the city can enact reforms that prioritize worker safety, ensuring that future tragedies are averted.
As Commissioner Oddo advised, the first step for workers is clear: if you have a safety certification from Valor, get retrained immediately. Your life—and the lives of those working around you—depends on it.
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In November 2022, 36-year-old construction worker Ivan Frias lost his life in a tragic fall from an Upper West Side building. According to documents filed by Valor, Frias had been trained in fall prevention, a critical safety measure for any high-risk job in the construction industry. However, investigators now claim that this training never took place.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg underscored the severity of the issue, stating, "In an industry like this, fraud has dire consequences. Indeed, fraud can mean life or death." His comments reflect the grim reality that cutting corners in construction safety can cost lives. In the case of Frias, had proper training been provided, his death might have been avoided.
The indictment sheds light on a pervasive issue in the construction sector. Valor Security and Investigations, under the leadership of its president Alexander Shaporov, is accused of falsifying documents to churn out safety certifications for thousands of workers. Prosecutors argue that the company’s goal was to profit from high-demand safety training without fulfilling the requirements.
One piece of evidence that stands out is an email from Shaporov to his staff, instructing them to fabricate OSHA safety certifications: “Whoever doesn’t have OSHA, MAKE ONE UP.” This blatant disregard for safety standards reveals a deeply troubling mindset. The scheme extended to speeding up the process for a price. Investigators revealed a text exchange where Valor’s training director, Richard Marini, was asked how quickly he could provide a 40-hour training certification. His response? "Tomorrow after 5 p.m."—an impossibility when considering the thoroughness such training requires.
District Attorney Bragg emphasized the seriousness of this fraudulent practice, noting that safety training designed to take place over 40 hours cannot be condensed into less than a day. Yet, according to prosecutors, Valor issued safety certification cards to as many as 20,000 people over five years.
For many, the construction industry represents opportunity, a path to a stable income, and often, the chance to work on iconic projects that define New York City’s skyline. However, it’s also one of the most dangerous industries, with workers facing daily risks from falls, equipment malfunctions, and hazardous environments. Proper training is the first line of defense against such dangers, and skirting these protocols is more than just a legal violation—it’s a betrayal of the workers’ trust and safety.
Prosecutors allege that 19 individuals, including a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) foreman, were involved as brokers, connecting construction workers to Valor’s fraudulent services. This suggests a larger network of people prioritizing quick profits over human lives.
James Oddo, Commissioner of the Department of Buildings (DOB), expressed his outrage, stating, “I think every New Yorker has a right to be a little bit disgusted.” He went on to urge anyone who received a safety card from Valor to seek retraining immediately. The danger of improperly trained workers handling heavy machinery, working on high scaffolds, and navigating precarious environments cannot be overstated.
In response to this scandal, the city’s Department of Investigations has provided a series of recommendations to the DOB to prevent similar fraudulent schemes in the future. However, this case highlights the need for more comprehensive oversight across the construction industry. Regulatory bodies must enforce stricter checks on safety training providers, ensure certifications are legitimate, and penalize companies that prioritize profit over safety.
For construction companies and workers, this case serves as a stark reminder that safety training is not a formality to be rushed through—it is an essential safeguard. Cutting corners can have irreversible consequences, as shown by Ivan Frias’ tragic death.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the spotlight is on companies like Valor, which exploit loopholes and gamble with workers’ lives. An attorney representing Marini, Valor’s training director, indicated that he intends to defend his client and is eager to provide more context for the incriminating text messages. Still, the severity of the allegations leaves little doubt that sweeping changes are needed in the construction industry to prevent more avoidable tragedies.
For New Yorkers, this scandal may provoke a mixture of shock and outrage. Construction projects are a constant presence in the city, and the idea that so many workers may have been put at risk due to fraudulent safety practices is deeply unsettling. But this case can also serve as a turning point. By taking this issue seriously, the city can enact reforms that prioritize worker safety, ensuring that future tragedies are averted.
As Commissioner Oddo advised, the first step for workers is clear: if you have a safety certification from Valor, get retrained immediately. Your life—and the lives of those working around you—depends on it.
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