A former construction supervisor on Long Island has been sentenced to one year in prison after admitting to conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation into a fatal construction incident, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Richard Zagger, a former supervisor for Northridge Construction Corporation in East Patchogue, was responsible for overseeing employees assembling a metal shed on the company’s office property.
During the assembly in December 2018, one of the workers fell from the improperly secured roof and died, according to prosecutors.
An investigation conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identified several violations of worker safety standards — including the failure to maintain the stability of a metal structure at all times during construction.
According to prosecutors, Zagger made false statements and conspired with others in an attempt to cover up his role in the incident.
In July 2024, Zagger pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and three counts of obstruction.
On Tuesday, he was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, officials said.
Early last year, Northridge Construction Corporation pleaded guilty to violating a worker safety standard that caused the death of one of its employees, and to making two false statements that obstructed OSHA’s investigation.
The company was later ordered to pay a $100,000 fine and complete a five-year term of probation for violating a worker safety standard and making false statements during the investigation.
