The name Andrew Horan Alba has become increasingly well known in New York’s construction and demolition industry. On one hand, it represents ambition, growth, and success in a competitive field. On the other, it is a reminder of the risks of cutting corners and the consequences of legal and ethical violations.
In this article, we take a comprehensive look at Andrew Horan and Alba Services—covering their rise, operations, controversies, lawsuits, and future outlook. Along the way, we’ll highlight what entrepreneurs, workers, and regulators can learn from this story.
Who Is Andrew Horan?
Andrew Horan is the founder and President of Alba Services, a group of companies in New York specializing in:
- Demolition
- Carting & waste management
- Asbestos abatement
- Environmental remediation
- Site safety and construction services
👉 Alba Services on LinkedIn lists Horan as a leading figure in the company’s leadership.
An organizational chart on The Org also confirms his role as President.
Thus, when people search for “Andrew Horan Alba”, they are usually referring both to the entrepreneur (Horan) and the company (Alba Services).
The Alba Services Business Empire
Over the years, Alba Services has expanded aggressively, building a reputation as a one-stop shop for demolition and environmental services in New York City.
Divisions and Sister Companies
According to multiple public filings, Alba is connected to:
- Alba Services Inc. (core demolition business)
- Alba Environmental (asbestos & hazardous waste)
- Alba Carting & Demolition
- Caledonia Carting
- Arc Contracting
Together, these entities allowed Horan to bid on large projects, spread risk, and move resources between companies.
👉 Even Alba’s own site has promoted its blog on demolition and environmental services.
Growth Trajectory: From Local to Big Player
Alba began as a local demolition and carting service but scaled up to compete for multi-million-dollar contracts. The strategy included:
- Targeting high-demand markets (NYC real estate boom)
- Offering bundled services (demolition + asbestos removal + carting)
- Leveraging subcontractor relationships
- Expanding into environmental compliance
This rapid rise was documented in an earlier UpdateJungle blog post: The Growth Story of Andrew Horan Alba Services in New York.
But growth came with challenges, and Alba soon faced serious legal and regulatory scrutiny.
Legal Troubles and Controversies
1. The Manhattan DA Indictment (2023)
In January 2023, the Manhattan District Attorney indicted 26 companies and multiple individuals in a kickback scheme worth millions.
👉 AMNY coverage reported that Alba was deeply implicated.
According to court documents:
- Alba received $2.75 million in contracts and change orders through this scheme.
- The company paid more than $200,000 in kickbacks.
- Andrew Horan and executive Kieran Ferguson were charged.
By August 2024, Alba, Horan, and Ferguson pled guilty to criminal facilitation. (Local 79)
This was a turning point, tarnishing Alba’s reputation.
2. Workers’ Compensation & Misclassification
Labor boards found Alba and its affiliates guilty of misclassifying employees and avoiding workers’ compensation payments.
- Alba Environmental was fined $35,000 for misclassifying asbestos workers.
- Caledonia Carting was debarred from public work for one year in 2022.
- The NY State Insurance Fund sued Alba for millions in unpaid premiums.
- Judgments included a $1.2 million ruling against Caledonia.
These practices suggested a systemic attempt to reduce employer costs at the expense of workers’ rights.
3. Wage Theft & Labor Lawsuits
Alba has faced repeated lawsuits over wage theft and labor violations.
- In 2017, workers alleged unpaid overtime and “off-the-books” pay. Alba later settled for up to $1.5 million in 2021.
- In 2023–2024, lawsuits claimed Alba shaved time off paychecks, underpaid immigrant workers, and created a hostile work environment.
👉 Labor watchdog Local 79’s Alba Exploits site has documented many of these cases.
4. Safety Violations & OSHA Citations
As a demolition and asbestos removal firm, Alba operates in a high-risk sector. Regulators documented multiple violations:
- In 2022, workers were injured after a fall due to lack of site safety orientation.
- In 2021, an Alba excavator fell through a floor at a demolition site.
- OSHA cited Alba for failing to provide injury logs and covering up accidents.
- The company was accused of intimidating workers who filed injury claims.
These violations highlight the dangers of prioritizing speed over safety.
5. Community Backlash
Community and labor groups have launched campaigns urging developers to avoid Alba.
👉 For example, Action Network petitioned developers not to hire Alba for a Brooklyn project.
Local unions accuse Alba of exploiting immigrant workers and lowering industry standards.
The Duality of Andrew Horan Alba
The story of Andrew Horan Alba has two sides:
- The Business Visionary
- Built a multi-division company
- Expanded aggressively during NYC’s real estate boom
- Offered integrated demolition & environmental services
- The Controversial Figure
- Pled guilty in a Manhattan DA case
- Faced lawsuits over wage theft and misclassification
- Criticized by unions and communities for unsafe, unfair practices
This duality makes Alba both a case study in entrepreneurship and a cautionary tale.
Lessons from Andrew Horan Alba
- Rapid growth attracts scrutiny – scaling too fast can expose compliance weaknesses.
- Worker misclassification is risky – short-term savings can lead to million-dollar judgments.
- Safety must be a priority – OSHA citations and accidents damage both finances and reputation.
- Reputation matters – petitions and union campaigns can cost future contracts.
- Leadership is accountable – executives can be personally named in indictments.
Looking Forward: The Future of Alba
Despite controversies, Alba remains active in NYC construction. The key question is whether the company can rebuild trust through compliance, transparency, and fair labor practices.
- If Alba reforms, it could remain a major player in demolition.
- If not, it risks being sidelined by regulators, lawsuits, and reputational collapse.
For now, “Andrew Horan Alba” will remain a loaded phrase—synonymous with both ambition and misconduct.
Internal Links (for UpdateJungle.com)
- The Growth Story of Andrew Horan Alba Services in New York
- Article idea: “Top 5 Construction Companies Facing Legal Battles in New York”
- Article idea: “Why Worker Misclassification is a Growing Risk in 2025”
External Links (Sources & References)
Conclusion
The story of Andrew Horan Alba is more than just the biography of a businessman—it’s a lesson-filled case study for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and workers alike.
It shows how ambition and growth can create opportunities, but when paired with shortcuts, they can also lead to downfall. For business owners, it’s a reminder: ethics, compliance, and worker respect are not optional—they’re the foundation of sustainable success.