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NYSP: Copenhagen Contractor Arrested for Grand
Larceny and Workers’ Compensation Violations
Published: November 19, 2025
at 02:40 p.m.
By: Press Release
from New York State Police
Contractor Arrested for Grand Larceny and Workers’
Compensation Violations
On November 19,
2025, the New York State Police arrested Ronald V. Herzig, age
50, of Copenhagen, NY, on the following charges:
• Grand Larceny 2nd degree (Class C
felony)
• Grand Larceny 3rd degree (Class D
felony)
• Lien Law Violation (Class D felony)
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing
1st degree (Class E felony)
• Workers’ Compensation Law Article
52–1A, Employer Fail to Provide Security for Workers’ Compensation Coverage
for One or Fewer Employees (Class A misdemeanor)
• Workers’ Compensation Law Article 131,
Failure to Keep Payroll Records (Class A misdemeanor)
Herzig was
arraigned in CAP Court, and the case was transferred to Jefferson County
Court.
On August 8,
2025, State Police received a report of a contractor larceny complaint at Burrville Cider Mill, located at 18176 County Route 156
in the town of Watertown.
The preliminary
investigation found that in February 2024, the business hired Herzig to
complete a construction project and paid him $308,370. Investigators
determined that the funds were used for both project expenses and personal
purchases and were not maintained in the required trust account.
Investigators
identified $59,492.32 in project funds that were unaccounted for after
reviewing receipts and invoices Herzig provided. The
investigation also determined that Herzig claimed to have
paid $21,480 to a spray foam company for work on the project, but this
payment was never made.
The Workers’
Compensation charges stem from Herzig filing a certificate
of exemption stating he had no employees or subcontractors. Investigators
later recovered documentation showing that multiple individuals had been
paid as employees, and that Herzig did not carry the
required Workers’ Compensation insurance.
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