Dedham Construction Company Told to Pay $100K in Fines, Restitution

The state attorney general's office has fined a Dedham construction company and order it to pay restitution to workers failed to pay, according to a statement from the attorney general's office.

Lancaster Enterprises, Inc., and its owner, Marie Raftes, 68, of Dedham, must pay more than $100,000, including $37,273.34 in restitution.

"At a time when many people are struggling financially, it is crucial that workers receive the wages they are rightfully owed," Attorney General Martha Coakley said in a release.  "The independent contractor law is designed to ensure that all businesses are competing on a level playing field."

State investigators say they discovered that the business purposefully misclassified 18 roofers as laborers and as independent contractors, and failed to pay 10 construction workers.

Misclassifying workers as independent contractors carries a $50,000 fine.

Lancaster had workers on West Newbury and Newburyport public construction projects, state officials said.