Construction Firm Faces 31 Felony Charges for Wage Theft and Tax Evasion in California

US Framing West is accused of underpaying workers, evading $2.5 million in payroll taxes, and filing false documents across multiple public projects.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced 31 felony charges against US Framing West and two employees for wage theft and tax evasion from 2018 to 2022.
The company allegedly underpaid workers by $40,000 on a public housing project in Cathedral City and evaded over $2.5 million in state payroll taxes.
US Framing West is accused of using unlicensed subcontractors, failing to classify them as employees, and falsifying payroll records on multiple projects across California.
The investigation began in 2019 after a union reported suspected wage theft at an Oakland construction site, leading to a broader probe of the company’s practices statewide.
The defendants, including two company officials, have pleaded not guilty, with legal representatives stating they will contest the charges in court.