An investigation by the city comptroller revealed that over 1,000 workers were cheated out of more than $2.5 million by contractors on city-funded projects.

Deon Kennedy received a letter from the comptroller's office in September. It stated that he was owed money, but he thought it was a scam.

"I tore the letter up because I was like…that's fraud. I'm not buying that," says Kennedy.

Kennedy then received a follow-up phone call, and that's when he realized it wasn't a scam.

Kennedy, along with more than a thousand construction and building service workers employed on city-funded projects, are now receiving the money they were owed.

"I worked two years, two months and he paid me $6.50," says Arif Hossain.

Hossain says he didn't think $6.50 was fair, but he's not from here and just didn't know what to do. The comptroller's message to contractors like Hossain's employer is that low-balling wages will not be tolerated.

Kennedy says he plans to buy himself a new car with his new found money.