MISSISSIPPI, United States – A number of Wingstop locations in Mississippi, owned by rapper Rick Ross and his family, have been fined by the US Department of Labour’s Wage and Hour Division (DOLWHD) for several violations.

According to the investigative report, which was released on August 11, the DOLWHD said it collected US $114,427 “in back wages, liquidated damages and civil penalties” from five Wingstop locations in the state.

Wingstop is operated by Boss Wing Enterprises.

Including pay check deductions for uniforms and cash register shortages, the DOLWHD discovered several violations of the Fair Labour Standards Act. According to the report, which was accessed by OBSERVER ONLINE through the DOLWHD’s official website, the deductions caused employee’s average hourly rates to fall below the federal state minimum wage of US$7.25.

“The investigation led to the recovery of $51,674 in back wages and liquidated damages for 244 workers, and an assessment of $62,753 in civil money penalties,” the report read.

In addition to the wage violations, division investigators learned that Boss Wings allowed a 15-year-old employee to work past 10:00 pm several times in June 2021, a violation of FLSA child labour work hour standards, which prohibit 14- and 15-year-olds from working before 7:00 am, or after 7:00 pm from June 1, through Labour Day.

Various international media sources have reported reaching out to the rapper for a comment. So far, all efforts have proven futile.