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Rep. Collins deflects flak from Audubon case

Chris Caya WBFO News

Congressman Chris Collins is trying to distance himself from one of the dozen companies "in which he maintains a financial interest." And also from "the workers who receive a paycheck" from the companies.

A local company, chaired by Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, could be fined for not paying workers prevailing wages. Marshall Bertram, with the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health, says Audubon Machinery, of North Tonawanda, won a job in New Jersey by low-balling their bid. But Bertram says the company made up for it by stealing their worker's pay.  

"It's irresponsible. It's dirty. And it's something as honest Western New Yorkers we do not agree with. This is not the kind of behavior we expect especially from one of our elected representatives that's supposed to be there representing his constituents."  

Audubon could owe nearly $38,000 in fines and missing wages. Collins' spokesman Michael McAdams said, that the Congressman does not have an active role in the company. But on his financial disclosure statement Collins lists himself as Audubon's Chairman. And he states that his company income in 2014 was between $100,000 and $1 million.