The Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division has obtained a court ordered settlement of $3.8 million against The Exclusive Poultry Inc. and owner Tony Brand.  According to court records the company paid workers less than the statutory rate including overtime, and reduced the wages of workers cooperating with DOL.  It is also alleged that the company employed minors as young as 14 on cut-up lines and to operate potentially dangerous mechanical equipment.  Brand used front companies to employ workers in his La Puente and City of Industry, CA. plants.  The court order imposed $3.5 million in back wages and damages to workers, $300,000 in punitive damages, $100,000 in back wages withheld as retaliation and $200,000 in civil penalties.

Going forward, Exclusive Poultry must retain a monitor for a three-year period to ensure compliance with federal and state labor regulations.