The owner of a pizza chain, Stavros “Steve” Papantoniadis, has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for exploiting undocumented workers in a forced labor scheme. Papantoniadis, 49, who owned Stash’s Pizza, was found guilty of blackmailing undocumented employees into working long hours at his restaurants, sometimes without pay. He will also have to pay a $35,000 fine following his release.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Papantoniadis deliberately hired foreign nationals without work authorization and then used their immigration status against them, threatening them with deportation and violence to keep them under his control. Prosecutors revealed that he physically abused and threatened five men and one woman, whom he hired because they lacked immigration status.
The victims endured long hours of work, with some working 14 or more hours per day and as many as seven days per week. They were constantly insulted and demeaned by Papantoniadis, who would also withhold their wages. One victim, a Muslim man from a North African country, experienced physical abuse and derogatory comments about his religion. He suffered from a serious assault that required surgery and continued to experience pain years later.
Despite Papantoniadis claiming in court that he respects immigrants and did not traffic the workers, prosecutors emphasized the bravery of the victims for speaking out against their trafficker. The U.S. Attorney, Joshua S. Levy, commended their courage and hoped that their actions would send a message to others whose rights are being abused.
In response to the sentencing, Papantoniadis’s attorneys expressed disappointment in the length of the sentence and mentioned pursuing a new trial. They argued that the sentencing guidelines were more suitable for human traffickers and sexual servitude defendants. However, Homeland Security agent Michael J. Krol highlighted the importance of the sentence as a message to employers that labor exploitation will not be tolerated.
This case sheds light on the prevalence of exploitation and abuse faced by undocumented workers in the United States. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to continue working together to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold labor laws. The courage of the victims in this case serves as a reminder that speaking out against injustice can lead to accountability for perpetrators.
