JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Citing a case from Lake of the Ozarks, Attorney General Jay Nixon is making it easier for Missourians to report employers who try to take unfair and illegal advantages, both of their employees and of their business competitors who play by the rules.

Nixon unveiled the Employer Workforce Accountability Complaint Form this week, a new feature on his Web site (ago.mo.gov) that allows anyone to report information on an employer engaging in improper activity to the Attorney General's Office.

'The vast majority of Missouri businesses do everything they're supposed to do, including treating their employees with respect and abiding by their legal obligations,' Nixon said. 'Unfortunately, a few do not. The violations can include employing undocumented workers, failing to carry workers compensation liability, or misclassifying employees as independent contractors. This conduct drives wages down, harms law-abiding Missouri businesses, and places a greater burden on local and state taxpayers.'


Nixon has taken action in several areas against employers acting illegally to cheat their employees, their competitors, or taxpayers.

In June, Michael Schlup, a developer at the Lake of the Ozarks, pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges brought by Nixon and the Camden County prosecuting attorney that alleged Schlup failed to withhold and remit payroll taxes from his construction workers, many of whom were undocumented workers.

The Attorney General's Office also brings criminal charges against businesses that break the law by not carrying workers compensation liability insurance, another area of violations that Nixon is encouraging Missourians to report.



Nixon is asking Missourians with information about an employer engaging in improper activity to go to the forms section on his Web site at ago.mo.gov and fill out the complaint form. The form takes about five to ten minutes to complete, and those who fill it out may remain anonymous.

The Attorney General's Office will then review the information contained in the complaint form; forward it to the appropriate local, state or federal agency; and then provide appropriate assistance as needed to that agency to ensure that violators are held responsible.

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