Out-of-state contractors arrested in Scott County wage dispute

A Michigan man and a Texas man charged in Scott County last week with failing to follow the requirements of Missouri's wage law have been arrested.

Norman J. Bass, 67, charged April 20 with six counts of failing to pay workers the state prevailing wage on the Scott County Public Water Supply District No. 4 construction project, was arrested Friday in Genesee County, Mich.

Bass was also charged with five counts of felony forgery for allegedly falsifying documentation concerning the workers' pay and hours.

Bass, who's president of Municipal Construction Inc. of Goodrich, Mich. -- the firm in charge of the project -- was also charged in March by Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd with felony failure to file taxes.

Bass made an appearance in a Genesee County courtroom Wednesday, where a judge released Bass on his own recognizance on the condition that he return to Missouri and deal with the matter, according to Donna Ballard, who issues warrants for Scott County.

Thomas LaCosse, 61, of South Lake, Texas, the superintendent on the project, was also charged Tuesday with six counts of failing to pay workers the state prevailing wage for work on the Scott County water project.

Scott County Det. Jerry D. Wolsey wrote in a probable-cause affidavit that audits showed 17 workers were underpaid by nearly $63,400. Wolsey said the investigation into the case began when the payrolls from Municipal Construction presented by water district officials "reflected misclassification and underpayment of wages to the workers employed by MCI."

Bass and LaCosse allegedly committed the crimes between June and December.

LaCosse was arrested in Mississippi County Saturday, Ballard said, and posted bond the same day. A court date hasn't been set for LaCosse.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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