WHITE PLAINS, NY (March 3, 2026) — Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a New Rochelle contractor was re-arrested and charged with new felony offenses for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 in wages from his workers.
Artemio Fuerte, 40, of New Rochelle, was arraigned Tuesday morning in New Rochelle City Court on one count each of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, as well as five counts of Failure to Pay Wages When Due Under Labor Law, a class A misdemeanor.
Judge Michelle Bernstein released Fuerte on his own recognizance because none of the charges are bail eligible. He is due back in court on March 12.
“As my office has alleged in a felony complaint, these hard-working employees were taken advantage of by the defendant to the tune of over $50,000,” Cacace said. “Deliberately withholding wages from your employees is not a bookkeeping trick, it is a crime. I stand with the labor community in demanding that all workers in Westchester be paid fairly, in accordance with the Labor Law. With today’s charges, we are making good on that demand.”
Fuerte is the owner and operator of Fuerte Construction Services LLC. According to the felony complaint, between September 2022 and October 2025, Fuerte stole approximately $51,720 in wages from five employees by failing to pay them the amounts owed.
One worker, identified in the complaint as Employee-1, worked for Fuerte Construction Services LLC performing demolition, painting, carpentry and drywall services between February 2024 and September 2024 at a set rate of $900 per week. During that period, Fuerte allegedly failed to pay the worker for much of his labor or paid him using bounced checks. Based on the statutory minimum wage and the amount of unpaid labor performed, Fuerte owes Employee-1 approximately $19,583, according to the complaint.
Another worker, identified as Employee-2, performed similar services between September 2022 and October 2025 at a daily rate of $160, according to the complaint. Fuerte allegedly failed to pay Employee-2 or failed to pay the full amount owed. Based on the statutory minimum wage and the amount of unpaid or underpaid labor performed, Fuerte owes Employee-2 approximately $8,400, according to the complaint.
The investigation was conducted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the New York State Department of Labor.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily-Rowe Smith of the Economic Crimes Bureau, with assistance from Michael Frenza, a forensic accountant.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.