Employer fined after trying to cover up workplace death

NORTHVILLE, NY (NEWS10) — The owner of Wiedemann Sons Roofing was sentenced Monday, June 10, for trying to cover up the death of an employee on the job. Jeremiah Wiedemann, 43, will serve five years of probation and pay a fine and surcharge.

On Friday, May 12, Northville Police responded to the area of ​​S. Main Street near the Northville Spillway for reports of a man bleeding from the head and in and out of consciousness. . The man was flown to Albany Medical Center, where he died a few days later.

Police said initial reports indicated the man fell approximately 10 to 12 feet near the Batchellerville Bridge in Saratoga County. Once the investigation was turned over to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, it was alleged that the incident occurred on Sinclair Road in Northhampton, not near the Bathcellerville Bridge.

Police attended Sinclar Road and examined the area of ​​the alleged incident. After investigating the scene, police said they found a construction site where the roof of the house was being replaced, and there was likely reason to believe the victim had fallen from the construction site.

Northville police, in conjunction with the New York State Office of Inspector General, said Jeremiah Wiedemann, the owner of Wiedemann Contracting, falsely reported the location of the incident and falsified physical evidence.

Authorities say Wiedemann did not receive workers' compensation for the work he performed on Sinclar Road even though he had more than five employees working at the site.

The New York State Inspector General also said an additional charge, third-degree false reporting, was covered by his plea.