Exclusive | NYC green-job grifter owes nearly $1M to stiffed students, lawsuit alleges: 'This ends now'
A Brooklyn founder of a green-tech startup is accused of stiffing dozens of college students nearly $1 million in wages.Summary
Mathata "Moe" Mpela, the founder of Nalane Green Solutions, is facing a federal class-action lawsuit alleging he owes nearly $1 million in unpaid wages to more than 20 college and graduate students. The students, recruited for a "Green Apprentice Program" at Transit Tech High School, claim they were promised hourly rates between $22 and $40 but were never paid a single dollar. Some students relocated across the country and turned down other job offers to work for Mpela, who allegedly took advantage of their idealism. The lawsuit alleges that Mpela used the students to work on grant proposals for a dangerous plan to manufacture EV chargers in a high school basement without proper supervision. Mpela has denied owing the full amount, claiming he only owes $53,000 and blaming delays on a state grant. The students' lawyer stated, "This case sends a clear message: every worker who is wrongfully denied their wages has a voice."
(Source：New York Post)