Violations include kickbacks, failure to reimburse visa, travel expenses incurred by 39 workers

NEW YORK – KDE Equine LLC — doing business as Steve Asmussen Stables — has entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to reimburse its grooms and hot walkers $129,776 to resolve violations of the federal H-2B worker program which permits businesses to employ temporary visa workers.

This is the fourth time in recent years that Asmussen Stables has been ordered to make payments to workers after a Wage and Hour Division investigation, most recently having been ordered to pay more than $500,000 in back wages and damages. The investigation in this latest case found the employer violated numerous commitments that it made during the H-2B visa application process to employ workers in New York. The violations occurred between December 2016 and December 2019.

Specifically, the division determined the employer’s violations included the following:

• Failing to pay workers for costs they incurred during travel to and from the U.S. at the beginning and end of the racing season, including visa fees.
• Seeking and obtaining kickbacks from workers, supposedly to cover Asmussen Stables’ attorney fees.
• Employing workers outside of New York, contrary to statements made to the government.
• Overstating the number of H-2B workers needed by the employer.
• Not disclosing material terms of the position to potential U.S. job applicants, such as that free housing may be available...

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