FordHarrison attorney Christopher P. Butler contributed the article, "Event-planning company fined more than $600,000 for I-9 violations," in the October 2015 Georgia Employment Law Letter. Their article focuses on I-9 compliance.
"In July 2015, an administrative law judge (ALJ) ordered Hartmann Studios to pay more than $600,000 in fines for 808 separate I-9 violations. The fine is believed to be the largest penalty ever issued by an ALJ for I-9 violations. The ALJ found Hartmann liable for 808 Form I-9 violations and rejected the employer's financial hardship defense. The defense was largely based on Hartmann's failure to provide audited financial statements or otherwise respond to the government's inquiry regarding its ability to pay the proposed penalty of $812,665.25. The ALJ made modest decreases in the proposed base penalties. However, the ALJ increased the aggravation penalties for violations associated with unauthorized workers and ultimately adjusted the fine to $605,250."
This newsletter also includes articles covering wage garnishments, FMLA eligibility and employer policies.
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