Guest Workers Allege RICO Violations in Lawsuit

A group of temporary Brazilian guest workers filed a lawsuit against their employer, Five Star Contractors, Knights Marine, and two individuals. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), breach of contract, and fraud.

According to the complaint: “Based on promises of consistent, well-compensated work at a reputable shipyard through a regulated U.S. Government visa program…guest workers plunged their families into debt to pay hiring, visa, and relocation fees and reluctantly turned over deeds to their houses with agents of Five Star. Upon arrival in Mississippi, they were transported to a surveillance labor camp consisting of windowless portable metal buildings while they waited weeks to be leased out. The waited weeks without work as their debts grew and they became increasingly desperate for Five Star and Knights Marine to comply with their contractual promises to worker and the U.S. Government.”

The lawsuit is asking for damages on behalf of the guest workers and other similarly situated employees as well as a declaration that their rights have been violated.

Disclaimer: The foregoing is general legal information only and not intended to serve as legal advice or a substitute for legal advice. If you have been injured or damaged from a RICO violation go to www.ContingencyCase.com to see if there is a lawyer or attorney in your local area who is willing to take your case on a contingency fee basis. ContingencyCase.com is an online legal directory that allows Attorneys to advertise their availability to take all kinds of cases on a contingency fee basis (for example personal injury, eminent domain, contract cases, partnership disputes, etc.). Please note there are no guarantees that any attorney or lawyer will take your case. Copyright 2009 ContingencyCase.com – All Rights Reserved.