According to the Justice Department, Papantoniadis used coercion and threats to force six employees—one woman and five men—to work grueling hours without fair treatment or basic rights. He deliberately hired undocumented immigrants, knowing their vulnerable status would make it hard for them to stand up to his abusive demands. Workers at his establishments endured shifts that stretched far beyond the legal limit, often exceeding 14 hours a day and, in some cases, reaching between 84 and 119 hours a week. Papantoniadis made it clear that any attempt to speak up would lead to severe consequences. He threatened to report their immigration status to authorities, a move that would likely lead to deportation and separation from their families.
How Did He Harass His Workers?
Papantoniadis didn’t stop at intimidation; he installed surveillance cameras throughout the restaurants to monitor every move his employees made. He would watch them remotely and, if dissatisfied, would verbally harass, humiliate, and demean them. In one case, his abusive behavior turned physical when he choked an employee who had reached a breaking point and wanted to leave. Other workers were threatened with physical violence, and one employee was even chased down in Norwood after leaving work, with Papantoniadis fabricating allegations of misconduct to keep him compliant.
