"For years, many wage theft cases went unpunished and unaddressed, robbing workers of hard-earned income. That’s why I cosponsored a bill (A154A) that has now been signed into law to take major actions to help right this wrong. We also have made strides in the past three years, with the state Attorney General’s Office recovering over $23 million from wage theft cases. Classifying wage theft as larceny will now allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties against employers who steal wages from workers and is another step toward stamping out this terrible injustice. This comprehensive legislation not only underscores our unwavering stance against wage theft by unscrupulous employers but also highlights our ongoing commitment to diligently uphold the principle of fair compensation for labor, ensuring that workers receive the wages they rightfully deserve."