An executive at Turner Construction Co., one of the world’s largest construction companies, has admitted to extorting subcontractors on city-funded waterfront projects into sprucing up his home heating system, according to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau.

George Pauliny, who was a vice president at Turner, asked a subcontractor to install for free a new boiler and a heating system in his driveway, threatening not to include subcontractors as part of the development of Manhattan’s Pier 88 and Brooklyn’s Passenger Ship Terminal in Red Hook, according to Mr. Morgenthau’s office. Mr. Pauliny pleaded guilty to extortion and grand larceny today, for which he will be terminated from his job at Turner (he’s been suspended since last year) and must pay the subcontractors about $10,000 in restitution.

Release below:

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau announced today that a construction company executive has pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny by Extortion. The defendant is GEORGE PAULINY, a Vice-President of Turner Construction, Co, Inc., located at 345 Hudson Street, New York, New York.