Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
A federal agency has recovered nearly $200,000 in unpaid wages and damages for dozens of employees of a Freeport pizzeria after investigators determined the restaurant failed to properly pay and protect its workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor found that Antonia’s Pizzeria failed to properly pay 36 workers their wages, falsified timecards to avoid paying overtime and allowed minors to work long hours in excess of the legal limits. The investigation also found that one underaged employee cleaned a hazardous meat slicer.
The department also resolved retaliation-related litigation with Antonia’s Inc. based on allegations that the restaurant’s management attempted to dissuade employees from providing the department with truthful information requested by investigators with the agency’s Wage and Hour Division.
“Our investigation found that Antonia’s denied dozens of workers their full wages, falsified timecards and violated federal laws that protect young workers’ well-being and safety,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven McKinney said in a statement. “This investigation’s outcome shows that employers may face costly consequences when they fail to comply with worker protection laws.”
A reporter who called the business seeking a response to the department’s findings was immediately disconnected.
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