LANSING — House and Senate Democrats unveiled a plan last week to crack down on companies committing payroll fraud, increasing penalties for bad actors while strengthening oversight to protect businesses playing by the rules. Unscrupulous companies stole an estimated $429 million in wages and overtime pay from hardworking Michiganders between 2013 and 2015, impacting more than 2.8 million workers. In addition to the impact on individual workers, payroll fraud costs Michigan taxpayers $107 million a year in tax revenue. In response, state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) issued the following statement:
“Michigan workers shouldn’t have to wonder if they will be defrauded or shortchanged by their employer. Being asked to work off the clock or having your paycheck reduced without your knowledge is an insult to our hardworking citizens and the honest work they put in every day. I am pleased that my colleagues are taking much-needed action to protect our communities from bad actors, and I look forward to continuing this fight for our working families at the Capitol.”