Classical fix in limbo after indictments

LYNN – Demolition work in preparation for major structural repairs to Classical High School is on hold after the contractor picked to do the work was indicted on wage law violations.GVW, Inc. of East Boston and George Wattendorf, the Swampscott resident who owns the firm, have been indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on alleged violations of state prevailing wage and overtime laws.The indictments are the product of a year long Attorney General’s investigation triggered by a nonpayment of wage complaint filed by a former GVW worker.The city Inspectional Services department awarded GVW a $762,435 bid on Feb. 5 to demolish sections of the school’s two wings in preparation for repairs to its sinking foundation.The work, including tearing down interior walls, demolishing parts of the building’s concrete slab and moving underground wiring, was slated to begin this month and be completed in late April.City Purchasing Agent Charles White said the contract “is in a holding pattern” while the city Law Department reviews the indictments.”The Law Department is exploring our exposure. As of right now, there is no determination,” White said on Tuesday.GVW attorney Thomas Butters said the firm and Wattendorf “welcome the opportunity to defend themselves in this action.””The AG has taken what I consider to be minor violations and is intent on putting GVW out of business,” Butters said.A statement from the AG detailing the indictments lists specific charges against the firm including failure to pay prevailing wage, failure to pay overtime, failure to submit true and accurate certified payroll records and a perjury charge filed against GVW, but not Wattendorf.The company and its owner are accused of failing to pay six workers prevailing wage for work they did at seven job sites. Prevailing wage is a requirement designed to standardize the rate of pay for workers employed by companies chosen for public construction projects.Several of the employees performed electrical work but, according to the AG, were misclassified as apprentices or laborers or omitted entirely from certified payroll records.The AG alleged that three of the employees were not paid overtime and that GVW misrepresented its eligibility status on its annual recertification application to the state Division of Capital Asset Management.Butters said GVW “is a respected public contractor and an honest corporate citizen for 22 years.”