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Pizzeria owner in Boston sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for exploiting undocumented workers


Stavros Papantoniadis, owner of Stash’s Pizza in Boston, has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for forcing undocumented workers to toil in grueling conditions under threats of deportation and physical abuse. He employed workers without immigration status and subjected them to 14-hour shifts, surveillance, and constant harassment to keep them under his control. When victims tried to quit, he resorted to violence, threatening harm and deportation. Papantoniadis was convicted on multiple counts of forced labor and attempted forced labor and sentenced to prison, supervised release, and a fine. His attorney expressed disappointment with the sentence, claiming the guidelines were more suited for human traffickers. The case highlights the consequences for employers engaging in such conduct, with Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy commending the victims for speaking out. This is not the first time Papantoniadis has faced scrutiny over labor practices, with previous complaints of wage violations at his pizzerias. In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against him for failing to pay proper overtime and misrepresenting pay rates, resulting in over $300,000 in back wages ordered to be paid. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has also received complaints of wage and hour violations against Stash’s Pizza since 2019. Papantoniadis’ sentencing underscores the seriousness of exploiting workers, especially those vulnerable due to immigration status.

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www.nbcnews.com

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