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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The owner of Boston pizzeria chains Stash's Pizza was arrested Thursday morning on forced labor charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Stavros Papantoniadis, 47, of Westwood, was charged with one count of forced labor for allegedly forcing an undocumented employee to work for years while threatening deportation and subjecting him to repeated verbal and physical abuse.
According to court documents, Papantoniadis allegedly targeted victims who lacked immigration status, employed them at depressed wages and demanded that they work, in most cases, six to seven days per week, at times for far more than eight hours per day and often without breaks or overtime compensation. Papantoniadis also allegedly withheld wages.
Prosecutors also allege that Papantoniadis routinely threatened to have employees deported from the United States and used violence and threats to scare victims and ensure that they complied with his excessive workplace demands.
"Forced labor is a form of human trafficking. It is not a wage dispute. If someone is being compelled to work through the use of force, threats of force, or coercion, that is a federal crime. We allege that Mr. Papantoniadis compelled and threatened victims to work against their will using fear, violence and the threat of deportation," said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. "The allegations in this case are horrific. Nobody has the right to violently kick, slap, punch or choke anyone, and certainly not an employer to an employee. This case illustrates the manipulative, violent and abusive tactics some employers utilize for their own greed and financial gain. Labor trafficking is real and happening every day in Massachusetts and beyond. We are working hard to expose this disturbing crime and to hold those that abuse and traffic people accountable. We ask anyone with information about this or other alleged trafficking violations to contact our office."
The charging documents state that Victim 1 worked at Stash’s Pizza from 2001 to 2015. During his time there, Papantoniadis allegedly made repeated derogatory comments about Victim 1’s religion and violently attacked Victim 1 several times. On one occasion when Victim 1 missed a day of work, Papantoniadis allegedly pushed him to the floor and made a derogatory remark. Another time, Papantoniadis allegedly kicked Victim 1 in the genitals, and when Victim 1 sought medical treatment, Papantoniadis threatened to kill him or report him to immigration authorities if he did not return to work. Victim 1 also alleges that Papantoniadis slapped and choked Victim 1 and broke his teeth, causing Victim 1 to have teeth removed and causing him to wear dentures. The employee reportedly kept working at Stash's Pizza out of fear.
Stash's Pizza has locations in Dorchester and Roslindale. Papantoniadis formerly operated pizzerias in Norwood, Norwell, Randolph, Weymouth, and Wareham.
Papantoniadis made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston Thursday afternoon, and was detained pending a detention hearing set for Monday, March 20.
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