Kroger's Ralphs Reaches Settlement Over Improper Hiring Allegations
CINCINNATI -- Ralphs Grocery Co., a unit of The Kroger Co. based here, reached a settlement last week with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California regarding alleged improper hiring of some employees who were locked out during a 2003-04 labor dispute.
Last December, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned a 53-count indictment of Ralphs. Under the terms of the agreement, Ralphs will plead guilty to five of the counts. If a U.S. District Court judge approves the agreement, the remaining counts will be dismissed.
Ralphs has agreed to pay a fine of $20 million to the government and to create a $50 million restitution fund.
Previously, Ralphs acknowledged that during the 141-day labor dispute, certain store managers and their supervisors violated company policy by illegally hiring some locked-out employees. In order to avoid detection, many of the employees worked under false names or Social Security numbers.
Last December, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles returned a 53-count indictment of Ralphs. Under the terms of the agreement, Ralphs will plead guilty to five of the counts. If a U.S. District Court judge approves the agreement, the remaining counts will be dismissed.
Ralphs has agreed to pay a fine of $20 million to the government and to create a $50 million restitution fund.
Previously, Ralphs acknowledged that during the 141-day labor dispute, certain store managers and their supervisors violated company policy by illegally hiring some locked-out employees. In order to avoid detection, many of the employees worked under false names or Social Security numbers.