16 ‘Bad Businesses’ Caught Stiffing Employees, NJ Says

NEW JERSEY — Sixteen Garden State businesses were added this month to a state list of employers who have failed to pay wages, benefits and taxes and are thus barred from receiving public contracts, according to the state Department of Labor.

As of May 17, a total of 161 businesses are listed on the state's Workplace Accountability in Labor List, or WALL, with the newest additions reportedly owing the state or their workers a combined $992 million for violating the New Jersey workers’ compensation law.

The WALL is updated monthly and businesses on the list currently owe a combined $16.8 million for violations of wage, benefit or tax laws.

"All New Jersey businesses must comply with the law. When some businesses don’t, it’s more difficult for law-abiding businesses to compete," the New Jersey Department of Labor states on its website. "The WALL is a powerful tool established by law to hold businesses accountable for failing to satisfy their outstanding liabilities to the State."

The state passed legislation to create the WALL last September.

Robert Asaro-Angelo, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, told New Jersey 101.5 that businesses on the list have had a chance to appeal the findings against them and pay for their violations.

"We don't want this list to get bigger. We want the list to get smaller," Asaro-Angelo told the station. "We're very proud that in New Jersey, an overwhelming majority are good employers."

You can view the full list (last updated May 17, 2024) here.

The businesses added to the WALL this month were:

• Able 1 Express, Inc. (Monmouth Junction)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Adams Mechanical HVAC (Pitman)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• American Eagle Enterprise Inc (Keansburg)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Cynergy, Inc. (Westwood)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• D&D Security Systems LP (East Orange)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• DRD International, Inc. (North Brunswick)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Exotixz LLC (Toms River)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• I Dream Auto Group, LLC (Teaneck)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• J & D Pool Plastering (Plainfield)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Junior Trucking, LLC (Perth Amboy)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• McWhorter Builders LLC (Atlantic City)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Mike's All Star Painting, LLC (Freehold)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Neha Inc. d/b/a Beverage Shop Liquor & Wines (Rahway)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Scissorhands Easton Barbershop Limited Liability Company (New Brunswick)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• USA Express Transportation LLC (Delran)
• Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq
• Zenani IT LLC (King of Prussia, PA)
  • Violation: The Workers' Compensation Law - R.S.34:15-1 et seq