Los Angeles, California — California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed 31 criminal charges and two enhancements against US Framing West and two employees for alleged labor law violations. The charges follow their recent surrender and arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court.
From 2018 to 2022, US Framing West, a construction firm specializing in framing contracting, secured high-paying projects across California and subcontracted labor to unlicensed contractors.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the company avoided paying over $2.5 million in state payroll taxes and underpaid workers by approximately $40,000 on a public works project in Cathedral City. The company also allegedly filed false documents with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).
The investigation, prompted by Northern California Carpenters Regional Council reports, uncovered widespread violations on construction projects spanning multiple counties, including Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Francisco. Attorney General Bonta credited union partners and state agencies for uncovering these violations.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized that California workers are entitled to fair wages and safe working conditions. He encouraged the public to report any labor law violations to his office.
Bonta reaffirmed his commitment to protecting workers’ rights, citing past efforts to combat wage theft, unfair labor practices, and payroll tax evasion across the state.
