East Providence Cleaning Company Implicated In Trafficking Case

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI—Martins Maintenance in East Providence is being charged in connection with a labor trafficking case, according to Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Maura Healey's office. Two people were being forced to work there, Healey's office alleges. One was not being paid for part of the time she was working; the second was paid well below the minimum wage; and Martins Maintenance, Inc., knew about the arrangement and knew one of its employees was involved in labor trafficking, the authorities allege.

The employee, Fernando Roland, 60, of New Bedford, Mass., allegedly brought a woman to the U.S. in April 2016 and put her to work cleaning. The woman lived with Roland and his girlfriend, Lisa Matthews, 51, also of New Bedford.

"The victim allegedly worked more than 40 hours a week and during the first several weeks was paid no wages for the work she completed. After that, authorities allege she was paid well below minimum wage and out of the cash she received each week, she was required to return money for housing and transportation to Roland and Matthews. The victim was never paid overtime or provided with health insurance coverage or any other employee benefits. Roland also required the victim to complete household chores, including cooking and cleaning, in his residence where she lived."

He kept her passport for part of the time and threatened to have her arrested by immigration officials if she tried to return home. He's also accused of assaulting the woman.

A second woman was also forced to work at Martins.

According to the press release from Healey, Martins Maintenance is being charged with Trafficking of Persons for Forced Service (7 counts), Failure to Pay Minimum Wage (9 counts), and Failure to Pay Overtime (8 Counts).

Roland was also "indicted on Friday by a Statewide Grand Jury, He faces charges of Trafficking of Persons for Forced Service (12 counts), Assault and Battery (1 count), Assault (1 count), Willful Failure to Pay Minimum Wage (12 counts), and Willful Failure to Pay Overtime (12 Counts)," according to the press release.

Matthews "was also indicted on Friday on one count of Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Forced Services," the Attorney General's office said.

Healey's office investigated the matter after receiving information from Rhode Island officials.

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