Watch CBS News

AG Collects More Than $8M For 2010 Wage Violations

BOSTON (AP) -- Employers who broke Massachusetts wage laws have paid more than $8M in fines and restitution to workers and the state.

Attorney General Martha Coakley's Fair Labor Division said it recovered the money after investigations into labor practices in 2010.

Of the $8 million, more than $4.6 million was handed back to workers. The remaining $3.3 million in penalties was returned to the Commonwealth.

Coakley said the investigators handled more than 5,000 cases at a time when many workers were losing their jobs as a result of the lingering effects of the recession.

The biggest settlement was against FedEx Ground over claims the company misclassified its drivers as independent contractors.

The company paid more than $3 million to the state and thousands of dollars to 13 drivers.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.