NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced settlements March 9 with three Domino’s Pizza franchises for a total of $480,000 in restitution after allegations of committing wage and labor violations at 10 franchise locations.
Schneiderman’s office filed charges against the three franchises and franchiser Domino’s Pizza Inc., Domino’s Pizza LLC and Domino’s Pizza Franchising LLC (collectively, “Domino’s”). In the complaint, the state alleged the defendants violated minimum wage, overtime and other labor laws. Schneiderman contended that Domino’s was heavily involved in the employment practices of the franchisees and is therefore liable for the violations committed by them.
"In the past three years, my office's investigations have revealed a consistent and outrageous record of disregard for workers' rights by franchisees, and as we allege, with the full knowledge of Domino’s Pizza,” Schneiderman said. "My office will continue with our lawsuit against Domino's Pizza to end the systemic violations of workers' rights that have occurred in franchises across the state. We will not allow businesses to turn a blind eye to blatant violations that are cheating hard working New Yorkers out of a fair day’s pay.”
Shueb Ahmed and Anthony Mestri jointly owned eight of the franchisees in question; Ahmed will pay $150,000 in restitution while Maestri will pay $240,000. Matthew Denman, who owned two of the stores, will pay $90,000. The case against Domino’s is ongoing.