What Did U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy Say When The Pizza Owner Got Sentenced?
When the pizza shop owner was sentenced for threatening his employees, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy condemned the actions in a press release. He pointed out how certain restaurant owners exploit vulnerable workers, often foreign nationals, by using tactics like confiscating passports and issuing threats of deportation. This method of control, Levy emphasized, traps workers in fear, making them feel powerless to report abuse.
In this case, the pizza shop owner, Stavros, followed the same ruthless path. He specifically hired foreign nationals without legal work authorization in the U.S., knowing he could exploit them. Once employed, he violated their rights, counting on their lack of immigration status to keep them compliant with his demands. He used intimidation, warning workers that complaints would lead to deportation or even physical harm. While most employees stayed silent out of fear, others bravely came forward to seek justice.
The Pizza Owner Got Sentenced For More Than 8 Years: Why?
Steve Papantoniadis, a 49-year-old pizza shop owner from Westwood, Massachusetts, was sentenced to over eight years in prison for exploiting and threatening his employees in a case that revealed disturbing practices behind the scenes of his business. While his restaurants in Dorchester and Roslindale seemed friendly and welcoming to customers, the environment for workers was anything but.
