Hudson Valley Man Pleads Guilty in Labor Related Scam

Officials say that while posing as a union recruiter from Laborer's Union 731, 57 year old Michael Allocca would collect $150 from job seekers and in return promised work with the union. A promise he never fulfilled as Allocca wasn't and never was associated with the union. The Washingtonville resident is accused of scamming at least 24 people but so far only 13 have been identified by investigators.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler says his office will recommend the maximum sentence of two to four years in state prison for Allocca when he is sentenced later next month. Officials will also be seeking restitution for those Allocca defrauded.

“I have made it a priority under my administration to support Orange County’s workers,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “No one deserves to be victimized while they trying to earn money to support their families. My office regularly works with organized labor to ensure that workers are not victimized. It is particularly reprehensible that someone would impersonate a union official in order to defraud those desperately seeking employment. My office will be recommending that this defendant be sentenced to the maximum state prison authorized for this crime.”

Allocca's name came to light back in October when the D.A.'s office was investigating an unrelated fraud case involving a Hudson Valley painting company accused of underpaying employees by more than $30,000. That case was also settled when its operators pled guilty to felony charges.

The District Attorney’s Office and the Town of New Windsor Police Department are continuing to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying potential victims. Anyone with information should call Investigator John Chivattoni at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at (845) 291-2050.