ONLY ON 3: Construction workers on gov’t housing project claim they’ve not been paid in full

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — They have worked long and hard, but have yet to be paid in full. These workers helped build the New Brooklyn Homes public housing complex on 4th Street in downtown Wilmington. They claim they have not been paid in full and are being cheated out of hundreds of dollars.

“I started on February 7, and that first Saturday everybody was due a check,” painter Roy Mosgrove said. “Everybody got a small check like a $100 to $150.”

Mosgrove said he and several others were told they would be paid in full later, but later never came.

“The same excuses keep coming around, full-circle, and it’s just one story after another,” Mosgrove said.

Mosgrove said he was hired on by NC Contracting out of Cary. He has tried to reach the company’s president Robert Miller, but has had no luck.

In the few minutes WWAY spent at the complex Wednesday shooting video several other workers came up to us and said that they have not been paid in full by NC Contracting and Robert Miller.

When WWAY tried to contact Miller by phone Wednesday afternoon an assistant said he was out sick. In an effort to find out more, we contacted the Wilmington Housing Authority, which was well aware of the situation.

“Once we were able to verify that this is in fact happening we put Clancy & Theys on notice,” said Wilmington Housing Authority CEO Michael Krause. “We expect it be resolved.”

Clancy & Theys is WHA’s general contractor. WWAY spoke to a director of the company who explained that they subcontracted the work to NC Contracting. Clancy & Theys said the company paid NC Contracting, so the problem most likely lies with NC Contracting.

We left a message on Miller’s voicemail, but WWAY has yet to hear back from him or anyone else from NC Contracting as of Thursday morning.

As for those still waiting for a check, it would mean the world if they get their money soon.

“It would mean I wouldn’t be getting evicted right now,” Mosgrove said.

As WWAY followed this story Wednesday, we were made aware of another situation involving the new housing complex. Some of the workers who have not been paid are also illegal immigrants. WWAY asked the Wilmington Housing Authority if they were aware that this was going on as well.

“We expect subcontractors to be capable, quality organizations,” Krause said. “Anything that seems to be inappropriate, whether it’s something we have direct control or not, is a concern of ours. We’ll be sure to look into that.”

Stay with WWAY on this developing story.