Mauricio Baiense, the owner of Contract Framing Builders Inc., a construction company based in Medford, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax-related crimes and making false statements to federal authorities. The sentencing took place on December 10, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Baiense pleaded guilty in April 2024 to several charges, including one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, seven counts of failure to collect and pay over taxes, one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, and one count of making false statements.

The case against Baiense also involved an incident from March 2021. During a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hearing regarding a fatal workplace accident involving an employee of his company, Baiense falsely claimed that the deceased individual was not employed by him.

In addition to his prison sentence, Baiense is required to serve one year of supervised release following his incarceration. He has also been ordered to pay $2,824,577 in restitution to the United States.

Acting Regional Administrator Jeffrey Erskine commented on the case: “When employers make false statements to OSHA investigators to cover up unsafe practices, they leave employees exposed to workplace injuries and deaths.” He expressed gratitude towards staff members and investigative partners who contributed to holding Baiense accountable for his actions.

The case was filed under docket number 22-CR-10148.