Current:Home > MyAlgosensey|Boston pizza shop owner convicted of forced labor against employees in the country illegally -Elevate Profit Vision
Algosensey|Boston pizza shop owner convicted of forced labor against employees in the country illegally
Chainkeen View
Date:2025-04-09 15:56:49
BOSTON (AP) — The Algosenseyowner of two Boston-area pizza shops was convicted of forced labor on Friday for using physical violence and threats of reprisal or deportation against employees living in the country illegally to make them work long hours, sometimes seven days a week.
Prosecutors said Stavros Papantoniadis, of the Boston suburb of Westwood, thinly staffed his pizza shops and purposely employed workers without immigration status behind the scenes for 14 or more hours per day.
He monitored the workers with surveillance cameras, which he accessed from his cell phone, and constantly demeaned, insulted and harassed them, prosecutors said.
The jury found Papantoniadis forced or attempted to force six victims to work for him and comply with excessive workplace demands through violent abuse, making them believe he would physically harm them or have them deported.
Papantoniadis was convicted of three counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor. He is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 12. The charges of forced labor and attempted forced labor each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and restitution.
Prosecutors said that when a victim tired to drive away, Papantoniadis chased him down Route 1 in Norwood then falsely reported him to local police to get him back to work. When Papantoniadis learned that one worker planned to quit, he choked him, causing the worker to flee the pizza shop and run to safety in the parking lot.
“Today’s guilty verdict sends a powerful message to abusive employers that exploiting employees through fear and intimidation will never be tolerated,” said acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy. “I hope that this verdict also alerts others who may be victims of exploitation and harm by employers, that the federal government will not sit idly by.”
A lawyer representing Papantoniadis said he and his client respect the jury’s verdict.
“However we are extremely disappointed that they credited the testimony of the victims and overlooked their motives, which was to attain lawful status here in our country,” Carmine Lepore said.
veryGood! (25738)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- African nation threatens Apple with legal action over alleged blood minerals in its gadgets
- African nation threatens Apple with legal action over alleged blood minerals in its gadgets
- Why Sofía Vergara Felt Empowered Sharing Truth Behind Joe Manganiello Split
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Number of searches on Americans in FBI foreign intelligence database fell in 2023, report shows
- Mexican journalist abducted and killed after taking his daughters to school: Every day we count victims
- Kansas tornado leaves 1 dead, destroys nearly two dozen homes, officials say
- Small twin
- Soccer Star Carli Lloyd is Pregnant, Expecting “Miracle” Baby with Husband Brian Hollins
Ranking
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Is pot legal now? Despite big marijuana news, it's still in legal limbo.
- South Carolina Senate takes up ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors
- How Isabella Strahan Is Embracing Hair Loss Amid Cancer Journey
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Dance Moms' JoJo Siwa and Kalani Hilliker Reveal Why They’re Still Close to Abby Lee Miller
- Trapped baby orca nicknamed Brave Little Hunter dodges rescue attempts, swims to freedom on her own in Canada
- Is pineapple good for you? Nutritionists answer commonly-searched questions
Recommendation
Average rate on 30
Coming soon to Dave & Buster's: Betting. New app function allows customers to wager on games.
Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey’s Twins Look All Grown Up on 13th Birthday
Bear eats family of ducks as children and parents watch in horror: See the video
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Elon Musk says Tesla aims to introduce a $25,000 model in 2025
2.6 magnitude earthquake shakes near Gladstone, New Jersey, USGS reports
Air Pollution Could Potentially Exacerbate Menopause Symptoms, Study Says