Massachusetts factory raided last year settles worker lawsuit

BOSTON (AP) — The former owners of a Massachusetts leather goods factory raided last year by immigration agents will pay $850,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by workers who claimed the company violated various wage laws.
Under the settlement announced Tuesday, Michael Bianco Inc. will pay 764 former employees unpaid wages and overtime pay.

The lawsuit, filed in May 2007, alleged that New Bedford-based Michael Bianco failed to pay workers for overtime and unfairly deducted pay from workers' pay checks.

In March 2007, immigration agents raided Michael Bianco and arrested 361 workers, mostly women from Central America, on federal immigration charges.

Earlier this month, the company's owner pleaded guilty to harboring and concealing illegal immigrants.
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