Pike Company agrees to pay $125K over work on Rochester Schools Modernization Program
[anvplayer video=”5100969″ station=”998131″]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Pike Company has agreed to pay $125,000 over its work on the Rochester Schools Modernization Program.
New York Attorney General Letitia James claims Pike falsely certified that it complied with state diversity requirements.
All contractors working on the project were required to use good faith efforts to subcontract at least 15% of their work to minority-owned businesses and 5% to women-owned businesses.
James said Pike is one of 10 contractors found to have violated those requirements.
In response, the Pike Company said it followed the requirements and it only settled to avoid prolonged litigation:
"The Pike Company does not agree with the Attorney General’s findings regarding construction that was performed and completed over a decade ago. These are two contracts out of more than 100+ subcontracts and $220 million worth of construction completed many years ago. Further our belief is that our actions fall squarely in the confines of what was required in the RSMP diversity plan.
"The company highly values diversity and EBE compliance and has spearheaded multiple EBE programs in addition to training and compliance efforts, which was a regular course of action for The Pike Company before this dispute. Pike decided to enter into the settlement agreement solely to avoid costs and distractions associated with protracted litigation.
"Since the inception of the RSMP, Pike has played an important role in the multi-phased capital initiative and takes pride in the work and partnership. The Pike Company has been involved in over 10 RSMP projects and has completed over $220 million dollars of work. These projects include Charlotte High School, Enrico Fermi School No. 17, Helen Barrett Montgomery School No. 50, East High School, John Williams School No. 5, Edison Technical & Occupational Education Center, James P.B. Duffy School No. 12, School Without Walls, Dr. Freddie Thomas Learning Center, Martin B. Anderson School No. 1, James Monroe High School and Clara Barton School No. 2."
