In a significant ruling underscoring the importance of workplace ethics and fair labor practices, Stavros Papantoniadis, owner of the Boston-area Stash’s Pizza chain, has been sentenced to 102 months in prison and fined $35,000 after a federal conviction for forced labor. Papantoniadis, 49, used threats of violence, deportation, and physical abuse to coerce employees without legal immigration status to endure harsh working conditions, often exceeding 14-hour shifts and seven-day work weeks. The sentencing also includes a year of supervised release.

The conviction follows a jury decision in June, finding Papantoniadis guilty of three counts of forced labor and attempted forced labor. Prosecutors detailed his exploitation of six employees, using threats and intimidation to prevent them from leaving, even going so far as to chase down a worker attempting to quit.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy emphasized that this case illustrates how labor trafficking leverages fear to exploit vulnerable workers, calling Papantoniadis’s actions a pursuit of “the almighty buck.” Levy noted that Papantoniadis “deliberately hired foreign nationals” and exploited their lack of legal status to control them.

Despite the conviction, Papantoniadis’s attorney, Carmine Lepore, expressed disappointment with the sentencing length and hinted at plans for appeal.