Posted on: June 07, 2025 08:50 AM

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Owner and managers of tobacco processing company indicted for wage theft for allegedly stealing approximately USD310 000 from more than two dozen employees

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez, and New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, today announced that the owner of Hothead Grabba, LLC, two managers and the company itself have been arraigned on a 74-count indictment in which they are variously charged with grand larceny, conspiracy, and related charges for allegedly withholding wages and violating New York State labor laws. More than two dozen employees who processed tobacco at the Cypress Hills plant were allegedly cheated out of more than $310,000 in wages.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “We allege that these defendants operated a business that profited by systematically underpaying their employees, denying them basic protections, and exposing them to hazardous and degrading conditions. These serious charges send a strong message that this kind of exploitation will not be tolerated in Brooklyn, and we will continue to use every available tool to hold unscrupulous employers accountable and seek restitution for workers. I thank our prosecutors and our enforcement partners for their work on this case.”

NYS DOL Commissioner Reardon said, “New York State has zero tolerance for anyone who cheats their workers out of hard-earned pay or forces them to work in dangerous and illegal conditions. I am proud of the New York State Department of Labor’s continued partnership with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Armed with expanded enforcement powers provided by Gov. Hochul’s 2026 budget, we will continue to fight worker exploitation in all its forms and put money back in the pockets of workers.”

NYS Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Rodriguez said, “The Board applauds the work of its task force members and all of the agencies that played a role in this investigation. Holding bad actors accountable underscores New York’s dedication to keeping workers safe and promoting compliance with the law.”

NYS Inspector General Lang said, “The exploitation of vulnerable workers through wage theft and unsafe labor conditions is both unconscionable and illegal. Every worker in New York deserves fair pay and a safe workplace, and in collaboration with our partners across federal, state, and local agencies, my office will continue working to ensure those rights are protected.”

From DA