Page 20 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 18, 2019 Insurance Fraud Saugus man pleads guilty to scam that enabled his Malden-based cleaning company to evade $74,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums (Editor’s Note: The following is a press release issued this week by state Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office.) W FALL LAWNS CUT CHEAP * Fetrilizing * New Shrubs * Mulch & Loam * New Lawns * Tree Work * New Fence * Walls * Patios CLEAN-UPS GO GREEN * Junk Removal * Painting CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE Seniors & Gogreenerlandscaping.com Since 1979 FALL CLEANUPS * SNOW PLOWING 1-800-698-6313 * Flowers * Shrubs Veterans Discounts Guaranteed ~ Help Wanted ~ Insurance Customer Service Representative (Everett) Established and growing Insurance Agency just north of Boston is seeking a full time Personal Lines Account Specialist. Applicants should have at least 2 years of insurance experience and be proficient in all areas of personal lines including Auto, Home, Umbrella, and Flood. Knowledge of coverage is essential. A Massachusetts Property and Casualty Insurance License is preferred or a willingness to obtain one within three months of employment. In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package, we offer a fast paced and positive work environment where team efforts and an ability to work independently are key. Please forward resumes to Danielle@mastrocolainsurance.com EOE EVERETT MALDEN REVERE SAUGUS A FOR LEASE - LIKE NEW OFFICE SPACE 4,500 sq. ft. Rte. 1 Southbound Roller World Plaza Saugus Call Michelle 781-258-7833 dvocAte Newspapers Published weekly by The Advocate Newspapers, Inc. • MAIN OFFICE • 573 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 Mailing Address: PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 Telephone: (617) 387-2200 / (781) 286-8500 (781) 233-4446 / FAX: (617) 381-0800 Email us at: Jmitchell@advocatenews.net info@advocatenews.net James David Mitchell, Publisher James D. Mitchell, Editor The Advocate Newspapers, Inc. are free newspapers published every Friday. This newspaper assumes no financial responsibility for errors in advertisements printed herein, but will reprint without charge that part of an advertisement in which the error occurs. SPADAFORA AUTO PARTS JUNK CARS WANTED SAME DAY PICK UP 781-324-1929 Quality Used Tires Mounted & Installed Used Auto Parts & Batteries Family owned & operated since 1946 OBURN — The owner of a Malden-based cleaning company pleaded guilty and was sentenced to jail in connection with an insurance fraud scheme that involved worker misclassification, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. Marcello Pompa, age 41, of Saugus, pleaded guilty on Monday to Workers Compensation Insurance Fraud (5 counts) and Larceny Over $250 (5 counts). He was sentenced by Judge Laurence Pierce to one year in a House of Correction with six months to be served, with the remaining balance suspended for two years. He was also ordered to not work on municipal contracts or participate in the municipal bidding process for two years, and to pay $74,000 in restitution. “Worker misclassification is a serious issue that cheats our state out of needed resources, said AG Healey. “Employers need to follow the law and pay their fair share.” “The IFB’s Workers’ Compensation Unit vigorously pursues premium evasion cases because it places a financial drain on the system and creates an unfair playing field for dishonest businesses,” said Anthony DiPaolo, Chief of Investigations at the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau. “This indictment shows the commitment by the IFB and AG Healey’s office to combat this type of fraud.” The AG’s Office alleged that between 2010 and 2016, Pompa falsely claimed that he used three sub-contractors through his company, M&M Cleaning, Inc. (M&M), in order to lower his workers’ compensation insurance premiums and conceal more than $2.8 million in M&M’s payroll. Through this scheme, the AG’s Office alleged that M&M evaded paying more than $74,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. As a result of this alleged intentional misclassification, Pompa was able to win multiple contracts, including municipal contracts throughout Massachusetts, by offering a substantially lower price for their cleaning services than their competitors during the bidding process. Pompa was indicted in October 2018. Misclassification is an increasingly common way for employers to avoid their legal obligations to employees and to unfairly compete in the marketplace. Employers that misclassify their workers avoid paying their fair share of unemployment insurance, payroll taxes, and worker’s compensation contribution. Misclassification not only puts at risk a muchneeded safety net for workers injured on the job, but also raises costs for other employers. 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