(855) 263-3525

Federal Judge Orders Connecticut Pizza Restaurant to Pay Back Thousands in Stolen Wages

HARTFORD, CT — A U.S. federal judge recently ordered a Connecticut pizza restaurant to pay thousand of dollars in back wage to workers the government claims were systematically taken advantage of by the defendant, People’s Choice and its owner. The defendant will pay a total of just over $52,000 in back pay with interest and liquidated damages to compensate workers for their stolen wages and an additional $1,168 in civil money penalties to the Department of Labor.

According to the unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, between February 2013 and November 2015 the defendants consistently violated several aspects of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Those violations included failure to pay workers minimum wage, overtime pay, and keep accurate payroll records as required under the law.

“This resolution secures for these hard-working employees the proper compensation they should have received in the first place,” said Wage and Hour’s Hartford District Director David Gerrain. “Employers who knowingly violate or attempt to evade the law gain an unfair competitive advantage over responsible employers who honor their obligations.”

In addition to committing rampant wage theft against workers, the defendant also stood accused of retaliating against one employee who refused to make false statements to investigators looking into the matter. That individual will also receive an award of $14,000 in damages as compensation for the retaliation he faced.

“Intimidating employees – or in any way suggesting they should make false statements or not cooperate with legitimate investigations – is illegal and has consequences,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Michael Felsen.

The charges against People’s Choice are an all too common story in the restaurant industry, where many employees work long hours for modest pay and are afraid to speak out against the wage theft committed against them. Fortunately, the law allows workers to file overtime pay lawsuits against greedy employers and recover the hard-earned pay they rightfully deserve.

Restaurant Worker Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit

Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.

Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.

Text Now For Free Case Review