Blog: Congresswoman Clarke's Statement on World Trade Center Contracting

Statement

Congresswoman Clarke issued the following statement on allegations that a contractor for the World Trade Center refused to hire subcontractors owned by minorities and women in violation of federal law.

"On Thursday, the New York Times reported that federal prosecutors have opened an inquiry into DCM Erectors, Inc. -- the company hired to build the structure of 1 World Trade Center, 4 World Trade Center, and the subway station -- alleging that the company failed to comply with requirements that they hire a certain percentage of subcontractors owned by minorities and women.

"Even as I am deeply disappointed to learn about allegations of fraud in the construction of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, I am unfortunately not surprised. Minority and women owned contractors experience difficulties in the best economic environments, however, as our national economy continues to recover, the alleged actions of DCM Erectors are even more scandalous as the company allegedly tried to exclude an entire sector of subcontractors from one of the most important projects in the history of New York City.

"These regulations exist to protect the integrity of the process and provide all an equal opportunity to compete for business. I commend the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, for his diligence in this matter and my office will be monitoring this process as it continues."

Congresswoman Clarke, a member of the House Small Business Committee, and the Ranking-Member of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations, will continue to support policies that protect fairness in business.

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