BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Dec. 19 that Olympia General Construction Corp. and its president, Marcelo Cardoso Queiroz, have been cited $27,611 for allegedly failing to pay overtime wages to employees.
Queiroz purportedly failed to pay the proper wages to five employees and the proper overtime wages to four employees. Massachusetts labor laws mandate that employers pay qualifying employees time-and-one-half their regular rate of pay for any hours worked over 40. Queiroz also allegedly failed to maintain accurate records.
“The owner of this business stole money from his employees,” Healey said. “We will scrutinize employers who don’t play by the rules and ensure workers get the hard-earned wages they are owed.”
In a news release, Healey’s office noted its commitment to protecting the economic security of state residents. Since the start of 2016, Massachusetts has issued more than 130 citations for wage issues to construction companies. From these citations, the state has secured more than $1.2 million in total restitution and penalties.
Assistant Attorney General Lisa Price is handling the case for Massachusetts after it was initially examined by Investigator Christina Lopez. Both employees work in Healey’s fair labor division.