NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES RECOVERY OF $375,000 FOR EMPLOYEES IN WAGE THEFT CASE

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced a settlement in a wage theft case involving a Long Island business. NYSDOL recovered $200,000 from the former employer, Nicholas J. Angelis, and his Rockville Centre business Sunrise Pizza, Inc. (also known as ‘Nick’s Pizza’). An additional $175,000 will be paid over the next 18 months, and all funds will be dispersed to 8 former employees. The settlement ends years of pursuit by NYSDOL, which included several notices, orders, collection letters, and judgments.

“In New York State, we believe that every worker deserves fair pay for a fair day’s work,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. “Wage theft remains a top priority to Governor Hochul, and we will do anything in our power to help victims. We will not rest until justice is served.”

The investigation began in 2009 after complaints were filed with NYSDOL by victims who said Angelis and his former business failed to pay proper wages. NYSDOL found $309,141 in wages owed from 2003 to 2011. NYSDOL issued orders to comply after the employer failed to provide payment, but orders, judgments, and multiple requests for payment were repeatedly ignored. It was only after NYSDOL sent notices to banks in March 2023 that Angelis began engaging in settlement discussions. On April 10, 2023, Angelis agreed to the settlement.

In July 2022, Governor Hochul announced renewed efforts by New York State to crack down on wage theft, including nearly $3 million in recoveries through the Wage Theft Task Force, a coordinated partnership between NYSDOL, the New York State Attorney General, the New York State Insurance Fund, the New York City Department of Investigations, and Offices of District Attorneys across the state. The Governor also announced launch of a new hotline, 833-910-4378, which New Yorkers can call to report wage theft. Victims can also email [email protected] for assistance.

Over the past decade, NYSDOL had recovered and dispersed more than $360 million in stolen wages, identified over a million misclassified workers, and assessed over $400 million owed in unemployment insurance contributions through both criminal cases and civil enforcement.

For more information wages, including minimum and unpaid wages, visit NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards’ webpage.