Trainer faked safety certificates

From the Daily News:

A federally approved construction safety trainer sold dozens of fake cards certifying hardhats participated in a rigorous 30-hour safety class they never attended, the Daily News has learned.

Until his arrest last fall, Larry Fontanez was a certified trainer, approved by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration to teach 10- and 30-hour construction safety classes.

The classes have become extremely popular since New York City passed a law last year requiring all hardhats working buildings more than 15 stories to take at least the 10-hour course by July.

Those who've already taken it must complete a refresher by 2014.

With the flood of students has come a flood of fraud, construction insiders say.