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Roslindale produce market fined $300,000 for not paying workers overtime - and trying to get some to lie to investigators

Baby Nat's Fruitland on American Legion Highway was ordered to reimburse workers $200,000 in back wages and pay a $100,000 penalty, the state Attorney General's office announced today.

In January 2015, the AG’s Office began its investigation of Baby Nat’s, following a complaint from a former employee. The office determined that, from January 2012 to February 2015, a total of 21 employees were not paid the proper overtime rate, and 23 employees were not paid the required Sunday premium pay, (a rate of pay no less than one and one-half times their regular hourly rate). Baby Nat’s also failed to keep true and accurate payroll records, and failed to provide suitable pay slips to employees.

During the investigation, Kenneth Natorelli, Jr., and Darlene Etienne Natorelli, who operate Baby Nats, allegedly told employees not to talk to the AG’s Office or provide information about their employment, hours worked, or rate of pay. These attempts to keep the AG’s investigation from materializing included the intimidation of a likely cooperating employee.

The investigation also revealed that, despite receiving inquiries from employees, Baby Nat’s historically refused to pay overtime wages to its employees, the majority of them low-income, non-English speaking Latino workers. The state’s Overtime Law requires employers to pay qualifying employees time and one half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a work week.

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