A woman is suspected of bilking construction companies in California out of $500,000 by posing as an OSHA inspector.
The woman faces 50 felony counts of grand theft, burglary, diversion of labor funds and theft by false pretenses.
During the past six months, police in Clovis, CA, say the woman was suspected of bilking seven companies and conducting fake training classes for a fee to clear up alleged Cal-OSHA violations.
One company called police after the woman allegedly collected $35,000 as a fine for alleged safety violations.
OSHA inspectors never collect money for citations on site.
A real OSHA inspector visiting a company would:
- Present credentials which include a photo and serial number
- Explain why OSHA selected the workplace for inspection and describe the scope of the inspection during an opening conference
- Conduct the walkaround inspection, and
- Hold a closing conference to discuss findings, but certainly not ask for immediate payment.
You can read more about OSHA inspections here.
(Corrects error regarding accused woman in previous form.)
