The owner of a Queens, N.Y., drywall construction business was charged with allegedly avoiding paying $117,250 in premium by understating his business’s payroll.

Francisco Brites Sr., 49, of Elmhurst, N.Y., was charged with felony grand larceny, insurance fraud and falsifying business records, as well as two counts of violating the workers’ compensation law.

Investigators said Brites, owner of Parana Taping Inc., allegedly misrepresented company business records on consecutive audits conducted by New York State Insurance Fund to avoid paying the correct premium on his workers’ compensation policy.