February 24, 2025 | Washington, DC — MedLegalNews.com — Florida Businessman Sentenced: A Florida businessman will serve 48 months in federal prison and forfeit over $5.5 million in assets after pleading guilty to multiple fraud-related charges and a workplace safety violation that led to an employee’s death. He must also pay more than $55 million in restitution.
Fraudulent Employment Scheme Uncovered
The businessman sentenced, identified as Manuel Domingos Pita of Wesley Chapel, ran Domingos 54 Construction, a subcontracting firm supplying labor for housing projects across Florida. Investigators found that instead of complying with employment and tax laws, he built an illegal operation that concealed undocumented workers and defrauded insurance carriers out of millions.
To conceal the number of workers he employed, Pita falsified workers’ compensation insurance applications, ensuring his company paid far less in premiums than required. Additionally, he failed to pay federal employment taxes on these workers’ wages between 2018 and 2022.
As a result:
- Workers’ compensation insurance companies lost over $22.7 million in unpaid premiums.
- The IRS suffered $33.7 million in lost federal employment tax revenue.
Repeated Safety Violations Lead to Fatal Workplace Incident
The businessman sentenced had previously faced multiple OSHA violations for neglecting worker safety. Between February and July 2019, regulators cited Domingos 54 Construction six times for failing to provide fall protection. Despite repeated warnings, Pita continued unsafe practices, ultimately leading to the fatal incident that contributed to his federal sentencing.
In March 2020, he assigned four carpenters to install roofing without proper fall-protection gear—even in dangerously windy conditions. Tragically, one worker was blown off the roof and died from his injuries.
Justice Department Officials Condemn Pita’s Actions
Justice Department officials condemned the actions of the businessman sentenced, emphasizing that his disregard for safety laws and financial integrity resulted in devastating consequences. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson stated that Pita’s repeated OSHA violations and deceptive business practices “tragically led to a worker’s death.” Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney added that his scheme caused “millions in losses to the U.S. Treasury” and reflected a complete disregard for worker safety and lawful business conduct.
- Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson emphasized that “Pita’s history of OSHA violations and deception tragically led to a worker’s death.”
- Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney stated that Pita’s fraud caused “huge losses to the U.S. Treasury” and “put workers at unacceptable risk.”
- FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor warned that “the FBI will aggressively pursue those who selfishly ignore laws designed to protect workers.”
- IRS Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker condemned Pita’s attempt to “gain an illegal advantage” by exploiting undocumented labor.
Federal Agencies Investigate and Prosecute
This case was investigated by:
- FBI
- IRS Criminal Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Florida Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Insurance Fraud
- Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General
The businessman sentenced case underscores the federal government’s growing commitment to holding employers accountable for labor fraud and workplace safety violations. Officials emphasized that such prosecutions not only seek justice for victims but also deter others from exploiting vulnerable workers through illegal employment schemes.
🔗 Source: U.S. Department of Justice.
For more legal updates on workplace safety and labor fraud, visit MedLegalNews.com.
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FAQs: Florida Businessman Sentenced
Why was the businessman sentenced to prison?
He was convicted for running a migrant labor fraud scheme, falsifying insurance documents, and ignoring OSHA safety violations that led to a worker’s death.
How long will he serve in prison?
The defendant received a 48-month federal prison sentence and must pay over $55 million in restitution, along with $5.5 million in forfeiture.
Which agencies investigated the case?
The investigation that led to the businessman sentenced in Florida involved multiple federal and state agencies, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
What message does this case send to business owners?
This sentencing underscores that employers who commit labor fraud or neglect worker safety laws face severe criminal and financial consequences.