Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced one of the state's largest wage-theft lawsuits after Evergreen Acres Dairy withheld at least $3 million vulnerable worker's wages.
Ellison announced the lawsuit Monday saying Evergreen Acres underreported the number of hours that employees worked, often shaved off 12 to 32 hours from each two-week pay period, and failed to pay worker's wages by refusing to pay employees for time worked at the beginning and end of their employment.
"Many worked 72 hour weeks, only got paid for 60," explained Ellison. "One worker put in 180 hours of work in two weeks, and then saw a full quarter of his pay had vanished from his paycheck. If someone quit or got fired for asking too many questions, most simply never got their final paychecks."
Ellison said Evergreen Acres maintained a culture of fear and violence to prevent workers from reporting the issues.
"When one employee was injured, on the job and unable to work, Evergreen owner Keith Schaefer allegedly grabbed that employee by the neck and pushed him into a wall, and told him they would be evicted from Evergreen housing in ten minutes if they did not return to work immediately."
The lawsuit alleges the dairy farm provided mildew and insect-infested housing. In many cases, workers' housing didn't have windows, had plywood walls, unfinished electrical sockets, and only space heaters for warmth.
"These residences violated most basic health and safety standards and they are frankly not within the bounds of human decency," Ellison says.
Employees who quit or were fired were frequently forced out of their homes without notice and final checks were withheld.
“I want to thank the courageous workers who came forward, despite Evergreen’s threats, to help our Office hold Evergreen accountable for its numerous violations of the law. Without them, this action would not have been possible,” Attorney General Ellison added.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit seeks to force Evergreen to stop its unlawful practices, pay full back wages to its employees, and pay back unauthorized deductions it took from employee paychecks.