The Massachusetts attorney general’s office is investigating the Upper Crust pizza chain for potentially violating the state’s minimum wage laws. According to the Boston Globe, allegations were brought forth from former Upper Crust employees claiming the chain exploited Brazilian immigrant workers as it expanded throughout the past 10 years.
Former employees have accused the Boston chain – as well as owner Jordan Tobins – of taking back overtime payments and failing to pay minimum wage.
Some of the immigrant employees eventually took their complaints to the U.S. Department of Labor, which launched an investigation last year and eventually ordered Upper Crust to pay nearly $350,000 to about 120 employees for uncompensated overtime.
A spokesperson for Upper Crust said he welcomes the latest investigation, as the company has nothing to hide.
A lawyer representing the plaintiffs disagreed, saying the violations are egregious.
Among the agencies involved in the investigation are the state attorney general’s office, the Department of Labor and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Upper Crust was founded in 2001 in Boston. It now entails 17 stores.
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