Plaintiffs in Zachry, Odebrecht wage lawsuit file for class action status

Six individuals who worked for the companies on the Houston-area SH 99 Grand Parkway project alleged that Zachry and Odebrecht intentionally did not pay them overtime wage rates.

By Kim Slowey • June 27, 2018

North Dakota senator's bill would advance cross-border work

Proponents of the bill say it will help speed up the permitting process for critical energy-related projects than span the U.S.-Canada border.

By Kim Slowey • June 26, 2018

New York state tax loophole put millions in builders' pockets

In one of the most extreme cases, a Syracuse apartment owner shaved $527,000 off property taxes by installing three vending machines.

By Kim Slowey • June 22, 2018

Brooklyn contractor pays more than $300K to settle worker wage theft claims

The Urban Group, which pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny against 21 employees, made full restitution, but has been debarred from public work in the state for five years.

By Kim Slowey • June 21, 2018

Sentencing set for New York's 'Buffalo Billion' fraud convicts

A federal jury convicted LPCiminelli CEO Louis Ciminelli Jr. and Alain Kaloyeros of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. COR Development execs Steve Aiello and Joseph Gerardi were charged in the case as well. All face October sentencing dates.

By Kim Slowey • Updated July 19, 2018

Litigation looms in MGT Construction's $28M debt, $50K assets bankruptcy

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee asked the court for a special litigation council to try to uncover any of the defunct firm's "undisclosed assets" to help it pay the more than 500 companies and individuals it owes.

By Kim Slowey • June 20, 2018

Utility company fights damaging Bechtel report

South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. wants to collect $3.8 billion from ratepayers in the next 20 years to partially recoup costs for the failed, $9 billion construction of a nuclear power plant, though Bechtel's assessment puts blame on SCE&G.

By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2018

Forensic BIM: Using modeling to resolve disputes and claims

The ability to use BIM to retrospectively verify that the scope of work completed matches what the contract required could save millions in some lawsuits.

By Kim Slowey • June 18, 2018

Kiewit awarded $45M in Los Angeles utility project dispute

The federal jury also awarded the Department of Water and Power $1 million on a counterclaim against the contractor.

By Kim Slowey • June 13, 2018

Philadelphia's 1% construction tax narrowly passes council

Revenue from the Construction Impact Tax will go toward the Pennsylvania city's Philly 1st homebuyers assistance program, but opponents say it's not enough to make a dent in the affordable housing problem.

By Kim Slowey • Updated June 27, 2018

Colorado to investigate construction worker misclassification

The state's governor formed a task force to eliminate payroll fraud that would occur when employers intentionally misclassify their employees as independent contractors.

By Kim Slowey • June 12, 2018

Florida DOT fighting to keep FIU bridge collapse records under wraps

A judge has given the agency two weeks to decide whether it will defend itself in court for refusing to hand over to the Miami Herald internal documents related to the structural failure.

By Kim Slowey • June 8, 2018

Contractor pleads guilty to violating EPA lead exposure law

Authorities allege that Bitner Brothers Construction Co. mishandled lead-based interior paint and could face probation and a $200,000 fine.

By Kim Slowey • June 7, 2018

Michigan may nix prevailing wage law

Repeal of legislature that guarantees a prevailing wage rate to construction workers on state-funded projects would make the state the fifth since 2015 to revoke such a law.

By Kim Slowey • June 7, 2018

Buffalo, New York fraud case down to one defendant

Prosecutors have dropped all charges against former LPCiminelli president Michael Laipple, leaving Louis Ciminelli the last of three defendants named in the "Buffalo Billion" construction fraud trial.

By Kim Slowey • Updated June 8, 2018

OSHA proposes new crane rule addressing operator qualifications

The new rule gives employers responsibility once again for ensuring that crane operators are qualified.

By Kim Slowey • May 25, 2018

Contractor drops Maine mixed-use development charges

PC Construction has voluntarily dismissed its action against Federated, Cox and Wexler after reportedly negotiating out of court.

By Kim Slowey • Updated July 6, 2018

How to create construction proposals faster and close more deals

Proposals that get to clients faster, close faster. Online software helps you get that proposal out before your competition.

May 21, 2018

Activists file federal lawsuit to stop $500M Obama center

Protect Our Parks and others in Chicago took aim at the Obama Foundation's proposed expansion into public parkland, calling the revised plan to exclude a library component an "institutional bait and switch." 

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2018

NYC district attorney charges contractor in $9.5M wage fraud scheme

Executives and associated companies allegedly stripped 500 workers out of $1.7 million in pay and the New York State Insurance Fund out of $7.8 million in workers' compensation premiums.

By Kim Slowey • May 16, 2018

Lawsuits threaten to derail Musk's Los Angeles tunnel

Activists in southern California are pushing back against the city's proposal to exempt the tunnel plans from some environmental reviews.

By Kim Slowey • May 16, 2018

NYC to require 40 hours of safety training

The city's Department of Buildings is giving construction workers until May 2019 to complete the required training.

By Kim Slowey • May 14, 2018

Zoning hurdles challenge $1.8B Kansas development

The Overland Park City Council said it won't authorize the necessary rezoning unless the developer redesigns proposed traffic improvements.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2018

OSHA extends deadlines for some aspects of beryllium standard outside of construction

A pushback of general industry compliance dates for the beryllium standard to Dec. 12 does not affect the construction industry's requirements.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2018

Related files 2nd lawsuit against NYC labor union

The Related Co.'s latest claims that some union members are trying to impede progress at NYC's $25 billion Hudson Yards development.

By Kim Slowey • May 10, 2018