Participants in an Oklahoma-based substance recovery program allege they were required to work at a poultry processing plant without compensation under the threat of incarceration.
Three participants filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the northeastern Oklahoma recovery program, Christian Alcoholics & Addicts in Recovery, and Arkansas-based Simmons Foods.
The lawsuit alleges participants were led to believe CAAIR was a recovery program offered through Oklahoma drug courts. It alleges CAAIR and Simmons “conspired to profit from a vulnerable workforce” and failed to compensate participants for their work. It says the only payment received were “daily bologna sandwiches and a bunk-bed in a cramped dorm room.”
CAAIR CEO Janet Wilkerson had no immediate comment on the lawsuit. A spokesman for Simmons, Donny Epp, says the company will defend itself in court.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Acrisure CEO Greg Williams Makes $400M Commitment to Michigan State University 
Chubb, The Hartford, Liberty and Travelers Team Up on Surety Tech Launch 
Brookfield Targets Global Dominance in P/C Insurance Coverage 
Hartford: 10-Year Analysis Shows Shifts in Common, Expensive Small-Business Claims 
