In a troubling indictment, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has uncovered a massive fraud scheme that highlights the potentially deadly consequences of cutting corners in New York City’s construction industry. The DA’s office has accused Valor Security and Investigations, a company responsible for training construction workers in safety protocols, of selling thousands of safety certificates without providing any real training. This fraudulent scheme puts lives at risk, as highlighted by the tragic death of construction worker Ivan Frias in 2022.
The Fatal Fall of Ivan Frias
In November 2022, Ivan Frias, a 36-year-old construction worker, fell from the 15th floor of a building on the Upper West Side and died. The paperwork submitted by Valor Security and Investigations to the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) indicated that Frias had been trained for eight hours in fall prevention, a critical area of safety training in the construction industry. However, investigators now claim that Frias had received no such training from Valor, exposing a scandal that spans years and could affect thousands of other workers.
This tragedy underlines the critical importance of proper safety protocols in an industry where mistakes can mean the difference between life and death. As Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg put it, “fraud has dire consequences.” It’s not just about violating regulatory standards; it’s about jeopardizing the safety of workers who risk their lives every day.
The Scope of the Fraud
The indictment accuses Valor Security and Investigations of running a large-scale scheme to issue fake safety training certifications—essentially selling construction workers the appearance of safety compliance without actually preparing them for the hazards of the job. Prosecutors revealed that Valor issued over 20,000 fraudulent safety certificates in the last five years. The company’s president, Alexander Shaporov, was caught in an email exchange instructing his staff to forge safety cards for workers who hadn’t completed the required training, saying, “Whoever doesn’t have OSHA, MAKE ONE UP.”
In another alarming exchange, Richard Marini, Valor’s training director, was asked by a client how quickly he could provide a 40-hour training certification. Marini’s shocking reply: “Tomorrow after 5 p.m.” It’s physically impossible to complete such extensive safety training in less than 24 hours, making this a clear case of fraud.
The Aftermath and Next Steps
The Department of Buildings and the Department of Investigations have taken swift action in response to the indictment. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has emphasized the seriousness of this fraud, while DOB Commissioner James Oddo expressed outrage, stating that “every New Yorker has a right to be a little bit disgusted” by these revelations.
The DOB has issued warnings to all construction workers who received safety certifications from Valor Security, urging them to get retrained immediately to ensure their safety on the job. The investigation also extends to individuals who acted as brokers, connecting workers with Valor’s fraudulent services. A total of 19 people have been charged in connection with the scheme, including a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) foreman.
The Commissioner of the Department of Investigations has also outlined a series of recommendations to the DOB aimed at preventing similar schemes from occurring in the future. This includes more rigorous oversight of companies that issue safety certifications and better tracking of training records to ensure that workers are truly qualified.
The Bigger Picture: Construction Safety in New York City
This indictment exposes a disturbing trend within the construction industry: the temptation for companies to prioritize profit over the safety of their workers. The consequences of this negligence can be devastating. New York City’s construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors to work in, with falls being the leading cause of death on construction sites. When workers are improperly trained—or not trained at all—the risks multiply.
The tragedy of Ivan Frias and the thousands of other workers who unknowingly received fake certifications serves as a grim reminder of why rigorous safety standards and compliance are essential. For many workers, a piece of paper confirming their training is not just a formality; it is the difference between going home at the end of the day and never coming home again.
What Happens Next?
As this case unfolds, Valor Security and Investigations faces serious legal consequences. While the company’s training director, Richard Marini, has indicated that he plans to defend himself against the charges, the scale of the evidence against the company suggests that justice may be swift.
For now, the priority is ensuring the safety of those thousands of workers who unknowingly received fraudulent certifications. The DOB’s urgent call for retraining is critical, as it could prevent further tragedies like the one that claimed Ivan Frias’ life.
This indictment sends a clear message to construction companies and workers alike: safety can never be an afterthought. Fraud in this industry doesn’t just break the law; it breaks lives. And in a city like New York, where the skyline is constantly growing, ensuring that those building it are safe must remain a top priority.