Martin Helda pleaded guilty to three fraud counts, including Workers Compensation Premium Fraud, Employment Development Department fraud and wage theft.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law this week that requires large employers in California to offer workers up to 80 hours of COVID-related paid sick leave. But there’s a catch: The bill, which the Legislature passed on Feb. 7, doesn’t apply to small employers with 25 or fewer workers.

Robert Foster allegedly used his private security firm to commit fraud, evade taxes, steal wages and launder about $18 million.