Ohio Man Arraigned In Mass. On Charges That He Failed To Pay Employees At Wendy’s Restaurants

August 29, 2007 -- BOSTON – Today, an Ohio man who owned thirteen Wendy’s restaurants in western Massachusetts and his company, were arraigned in connection with issuing bad checks and failing to pay wages to employees. Robert Burda, age 55, of Dublin, Ohio, and his company, Sondocatt Investments LLC, located in Chicopee, are charged with non-payment of wages (10 counts). Additionally, Burda is charged individually with larceny by check over $250 (6 counts), and larceny by check under $250 (36 counts).

According to authorities, on the morning of July 20, 2007, thirteen Springfield-area Wendy’s restaurants abruptly closed. Employees were sent home, and the restaurant doors were locked. Nearly 100 employees filed complaints with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division. In their complaints, the employees allege that Burda issued bad checks that were returned due to insufficient funds and that Burda and his company failed to pay wages for hours previously worked. As a result of the complaints received, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abrupt closure of the restaurants and the non-payment of wages. The Attorney General’s investigation continues to determine additional workers affected.

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The Attorney General’s Office encourages affected workers to call the Fair Labor Hotline of the Western Massachusetts office at 413-784-1240 ext. 156.

Indictments were returned against Burda and his company on August 16, 2007. Today at arraignment Burda pled not guilty. Bail was set at $10,000. He is due back in court on November 27, 2007, for a pre-trial conference. Assistant Attorneys General Chris Buscaglia represented the Commonwealth at arraignment.

Source: Massachusetts Attorney General