A contractor pleaded guilty Monday in Suffolk County District Court to a felony charge of willfully failing to pay prevailing wages and supplemental benefits, along with a related offense.

The event, held at Norman J. Levy Lakeside School, was aimed at condemning corruption in construction projects at Merrick School District and other public school districts across Long Island.

Prevailing wages provide a baseline — a standard of fairness and consistency that benefits not only workers but developers and the construction industry as a whole. These laws make labor costs predictable, which is essential for successful development.