The U.S. Department of Labor announced that a Northern California restaurant chain tried to use a ostensible priest to force employees to admit workplace “guilt.”

Employees at Che Garibaldi, Inc., which operates a Taqueria Garibaldi restaurant in Sacramento and another restaurant in Roseville, said the restaurant sent “purported priests” to workers to harass them for theft, tardiness, and malice. He testified under oath that he had heard his confession of sin. or commits a detrimental act against an employer during working hours; Department of Labor news release According to a news release, the priest called on the workers to “make their sins disappear”.

The Department of Labor also accused Taqueria Garibaldi of “refusing overtime pay for employees, illegally paying managers out of employee tip pools, and collaborating with the ministry to retaliate and harm immigration.” We fired one worker who we believe threatened and filed a complaint with the Labor Department.” department,” according to the release.

The ministry said Taqueria Garibaldi’s alleged use of an alleged clergyman to make a confession at work was a “fraud aimed at unfairly dismissing workers and intimidating or retaliation against them.” It was the most shameless act.” Brian J. Visitation, director of media and communications for the Diocese of Sacramento, said the diocese was “completely confident” after an independent inquiry. [that the supposed priest] He was not a priest in the Diocese of Sacramento.” catholic news agency. (Related article: Popeyes branch closed after employees complained that a customer climbed onto the counter and assaulted an employee.)

Federal Judge William B. Shabb ruled: consent decree The restaurant and its owner paid the Labor Department $140,000 in unpaid wages and damages to 35 employees, as well as $5,000 in civil penalties, according to a release. rice field. The court also barred the restaurant from hushing up, threatening, discriminating employees and obstructing authorities’ investigations.