Illegal worker built federal building

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - A man who described himself as an illegal immigrant said he worked on a crew that helped build the new Federal Immigration Center in Johnston, Rhode Island.

The scandal is coming to light after the undocumented worker claimed a subcontractor failed to pay him and others for their work. The worker also claimed he was not the only one working illegally at the site.

The building, located on Atwood Avenue in Johnston, is slated to be complete by the end of the summer. It will house the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office for Rhode Island.

The project broke ground in 2007. In attendance, and helping in the ceremonial first dig, was the Director of U.S. Immigration at the time, Emilio Gonzalez. The federal contract meant much needed tax revenue for Johnston and hundreds of construction jobs.

Now, Target 12 confirmed with Johnston's clerk's office the undocumented worker filed a lien against the property. The worker, who Eyewitness News is identifying as “Jose,” said he snuck into the country from Honduras 10 years ago. Jose claims a drywall subcontractor failed to pay him $2,300 in back pay.

He claimed the subcontractor never asked him for documentation for his immigration status. Jose also said he was paid in cash and under the table, and that he believed other illegal immigrants worked at the site.

Jose said citizenship status is not something discussed on the job site, but said another carpenter he worked with never had to provide documentation either.

Last month, after failing to get the subcontractor to pay his back wages, Jose reached out to the carpenter's union.

Matt Murphy, an organizer for the Carpenter’s Union said they have been handing out business cards at job sites and staff multi-lingual organizers to target immigrant workers. In the last two years, they have made exploited immigrant workers a top-priority in this job-starved economy.

When asked what was the likelihood Jose got paid, Murphy said, "Zilch."

Murphy said Jose is not a member of the union, but it often deals with illegal immigrants who claim they've been short-changed.

 “Gentlemen like this have limited avenues to pursue collecting their money. These contractors know that," Murphy said.

 Jose said he was hired by Joseph Pagliaro, owner of Ocean State Drywall.

When questioned by Target 12, Pagliaro confirmed Jose worked on the job, but said he didn’t hire him.

 “I took on the job and I subbed out the job to another contractor so it technically was my job," Pagliaro said. "When I subbed it out to another contractor, everything was fine. I had no idea he had illegals. [sic] This is the first I am hearing of this."

But José disputes that claim, stating he dealt only with Pagliaro, not another subcontractor.

Pagliaro said the workers were all paid in full and that he did not pay Jose in cash.

The head contractor, Calson Corporation confirms they hired Pagliaro to do the drywall. But they say they had no idea there was a money dispute.

The owner of Calson told Target 12 if the subcontractor doesn't come to a resolution with his worker, there are legal remedies to block the lien.

According to tax records, the building is owned by Atwood Development LLC out of Johnston.

The U.S. General Accounting Office told Target 12 it is leasing the building for $15 million over the next 10 years.

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, said all the subcontractor finger-pointing is irrelevant. He said cases like these only enflame the E-Verify debate. A program Mayor Polisena said would help confirm a worker’s immigration status.

"It's a black eye on the state. There are over 70,000 citizens of this state out of work. Let’s hire those people instead of the people who quite frankly don’t belong in the country," Polisena said.

Jose, who realizes this fight is a risky proposition for an illegal immigrant, said contractors have failed to pay in the past and he had had enough.