'A climate of fear:' Local pizza chain owner faces federal forced labor charge

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read
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BOSTON – The former owner of three South Shore restaurants has been charged with exploiting his workers by "creating a climate of fear," threatening them with deportation and abusing them physically and verbally, federal law enforcement officials said.

Stavros Papantoniadis, 47, of Westwood, was charged with one count of forced labor. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday and was ordered held for a detention hearing Monday morning.

Papantoniadis owns Stash's Pizza in Dorchester and Roslindale. His former restaurants include Boston Pizza Co. in Norwell and Randolph and Pacini's Italian Eatery in Weymouth.

Prosecutors allege that over the course of several years, Papantoniadis targeted victims who lacked legal immigration status, employed them at depressed wages and demanded they work, in most cases, six or seven days a week, at times for far more than eight hours per day and often without breaks or overtime compensation. Papantoniadis also allegedly withheld wages.

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He is also accused of routinely threatening to have employees deported from the United States and using violence and threats to scare victims and make sure that they complied with his demands.

"Stavros Papantoniadis is alleged to have underpaid, threatened and physically assaulted his employees, creating a climate of fear," said Matthew B. Millhollin, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Rachael Rollins is the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.
Rachael Rollins is the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.

In announcing the arrest, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins said forced labor is a form of human trafficking and a federal crime.

"The allegations in this case are horrific," Rollins said in a statement. "Nobody has the right to violently kick, slap, punch or choke anyone, and certainly not an employer to an employee. This case illustrates the manipulative, violent and abusive tactics some employers utilize for their own greed and financial gain."

According to court documents, one of Papantoniadis' accusers worked for him from 2001 to 2015. The man alleged that Papantoniadis kicked him in the genitals, requiring him to undergo surgery. On another occasion, Papantoniadis allegedly slapped and choked the man, breaking his teeth so badly they had to be removed.

The charge of forced labor provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Rollins said anyone who has information related to the case may call 888-221-6023 and select option 5. They can also send an email to USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran, chief of Rollins' Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Brian A. Fogerty, of Rollins' Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit, are prosecuting the case.

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Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Ex-owner of three local restaurants faces federal forced labor charge