Electrical Company Accused Of Illegally Pocketing Over $250K

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - An electrical company faces criminal charges for illegally pocketing more than $250,000.

The company had worked on an expansion project at Normandale Community College.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, along with several labor leaders, says C&S Electric cheated workers.

He says after bidding on the contract, C&S paid lower wages and benefits than had been agreed upon.

"This is taking money away from workers who earned it," Freeman said. "Prevailing wages is the concept whereby we try to insure that the workers are appropriately paid. It's a set wage--the contractors know it."

The company's owners, Robert Clifton and Earl Standafer, are charged with theft by swindle.

They could face a maximum 20 years behind bars and a fine of $100,000.