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Washedupcynic @lemm.ee

In Minnesota wage theft is a felony, and the state just got it's first conviction.

www.mprnews.org

First wage theft conviction in Minnesota punishes contractor for underpaying workers

Six years after a new law made wage theft a felony in Minnesota, our state has its first wage theft conviction.

Frederick Leon Newell will be sentenced in June for stealing $35,000 dollars from five workers he employed as a painting contractor for a Minneapolis affordable housing development.

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Wage theft is a felony in Minnesota, and they got a conviction!
www.mprnews.org /story/2025/04/15/first-wage-theft-conviction-in-minnesota-punishes-contractor-for-underpaying-workers
12 comments

  • What's crazy in almost every other state all an employer has to do is accuse you of stealing in order for you to get locked up, but they can steal from you and it's a civil matter that the DoL is almost certainly going to require that you pursue yourself in federal court, with a 90 day statute of limitation once you get a right to sue letter. I'm all for making wage theft criminal, but this being the first conviction 6 years after the law was passed is not the win most people think it is. The AG should be required to pursue all wage thefts, especially those that have already been proven in civil court.

    • Not even close to true. Employers live in fear of an employee call to the state labor board. If an employee is accusing the employer, the onus of proof is on the employer. Guilty until proven innocent.

      Problem is, no one seems to know this, let alone take action. Look at your post for example, acting like this a federal matter that the employee must pursue with an attorney.

      Anyone notice how you're required to sign or otherwise approve your hours? That's why. Don't sign if it isn't true.

      SOURCE: Worked 5 years for a payroll firm with 250 employers. Only had a couple of employees call in the labor board, and those employers where shitting kittens.

      As to attorneys, I'll once again stump for legal insurance. $26/mo. and you can call for advice all you like. "Real" cases like a divorce or a lawsuit are 25% off. I saved more on my divorce and child custody than I will ever pay in. Speaking of, the state is fucking me on child support, literally taking half my check. Half. Made a call, need to give the lawyer some docs, they'll handle it.

      And that kids is the major difference between rich and poor, legal representation.

12 comments