Lynn contractor pleads guilty to unfair wage practices

LYNN – A Lynn painting contractor who pleaded guilty on Friday to unfair labor practices has been sentenced to two years probation and to pay $4,518 to the affected employee, according to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office.Derek Sullivan, 38, owner of Sullivan Commercial Painting in Lynn, pleaded guilty to five counts of failure to pay wages in a timely manner, five counts of failure to pay overtime and failure to keep minimum wage payroll records.In September 2007, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division began investigating Sullivan’s business practices after a complaint was filed by a former employee, who claimed Sullivan and his company did not pay him for work performed at private residences in Revere and Lowell.”Investigators discovered that Sullivan also failed to pay the employee for working more than 40 hours in a given week,” a press release from the AG’s Office said.Investigators audited payroll records and discovered Sullivan failed to keep records documenting the number of hours the former employee worked or the amount of wages paid.Sullivan was arraigned in Lynn District Court on Sept. 14 and pleaded innocent, but changed his plea to guilty on Friday.Judge Michael Lauranzano issued the punishment.The Attorney General’s Office urges people who believe they have not been fully paid their wages to contact the Fair Labor Hotline at 617-727-3465.