By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
A Massachusetts grand jury issued indictments Friday, stemming from a raid March 28 at the East Providence offices of Martins Maintenance Inc. against both the company, and one of its employees.
According to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office, Fernando Roland, 60 and his live-in girlfriend, Lisa Matthews, 51, forced a foreign worker to do domestic work at their home.
The indictment says Roland retained her passport, forced her to work more than 40 hours a week for several weeks without pay, then paid her well below the minimum wage.
She was allegedly threatened with arrest by immigration authorities and allegedly assaulted, prompting her to flee.
Another foreign victim was allegedly forced to work at businesses across Massachusetts with the knowledge of Roland’s employer.
Charges include conspiracy and trafficking of persons for forced service, assault, assault and battery and failure to pay minimum wage and overtime.
Court appearances for the couple have not yet been scheduled. It was not immediately clear if they were represented by counsel.
