On Tuesday morning, a grand jury in Brooklyn indicted Redcode Inc.—a local company with offices on McDonald Avenue and in Queens—alongside its owner and an associate, alleging they peddled counterfeit safety certifications to construction workers desperate for jobsite access. Prosecutors say the operation offered fraudulent cards, each sold for $500, which allowed workers to sidestep required safety training mandated by New York City law.

The alleged scheme comes as construction surges across the five boroughs, with autumn job sites humming from Hudson Yards to Astoria. Strict safety regulations, introduced after a string of high-profile accidents, require workers to complete dozens of hours of certified training. The cards in question, which should signal that a laborer has met these standards, instead became a backdoor for some—potentially putting entire crews at risk.

According to court documents, the two Queens men named in the indictment worked closely with Redcode’s owner to sell the bogus certifications to workers in Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond. Investigators say the cards were printed and distributed without any real instruction, undermining a system meant to prevent further injuries and fatalities on city sites.

Labor advocates and union leaders responded swiftly on Wednesday, calling the case a wake-up call for contractors and city agencies as the fall construction season ramps up. “Cutting corners endangers everyone on the job,” said Maria Alvarez, a safety trainer based in Sunset Park. “This shows how much pressure workers feel—and how easy it is for bad actors to profit.”

The defendants face multiple felony counts, with arraignments scheduled in the coming days at Brooklyn Supreme Court. City officials have promised stepped-up enforcement and renewed outreach to ensure workers know how to verify legitimate safety training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was indicted in the Brooklyn fake construction safety card scheme?

Redcode Inc., its owner, and an associate were indicted by a Brooklyn grand jury for selling fake construction safety cards.

How much did the fake construction safety cards cost?

The fake safety certification cards were sold for $500 each.

What did the fake safety cards allow workers to do?

The counterfeit cards allowed workers to bypass the required safety training mandated by New York City law.

Why are construction safety cards required in New York City?

Safety cards are required to prove that workers have completed mandatory safety training, a regulation strengthened after a series of construction accidents.

What charges do the defendants face in the fake safety card case?

The defendants face multiple felony counts, with arraignments scheduled at Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.