The Rick Ross Wingstop story has taken a dark turn.
The Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division has fined five Mississippi locations of the chicken franchise owned by Ross and his family members $114,427 for numerous violations.
According to the feds, Ross and his kin forced employees into illegally paying for uniforms, background checks, cash register shortages, and safety training. Some of the locations ended up paying their workers less than the $7.25 federal minimum wage.
The $51,674 in back wages and $62,573 in civil penalties will be disturbed among the 244 employees affected.
"Restaurant industry employees work hard, often for low wages, and many depend on every dollar earned to make ends meet," said Wage and Hour Division District Director Audrey Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. "The law prevents Boss Wing Enterprises LLC from shifting operating costs to workers by deducting the costs of uniforms, cash register shortages or training expenses, or to allow a worker’s pay to fall below the minimum wage rate."
Ross, who lives in an opulent estate filled with cattle, cars, and military equipment, has not commented on the fine.