LOS ANGELES, CA (AP) -- Ralphs Grocery Co. will pay $70 million under a deal approved in federal court to settle charges it illegally hired hundreds of workers under fake names during a 2003-2004 grocery strike and lockout.
In accepting the deal, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson harangued the supermarket chain for its actions.
''Ralphs subverted a process designed to ensure labor disputes are resolved fairly and equitably,'' Anderson said. ''The plea agreement imposes meaningful financial punishment on Ralphs.''
In July, as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors, the chain pleaded guilty to five of 53 counts in an indictment. The counts covered allegations of conspiracy, identity fraud, false representation of Social Security numbers, concealing facts relating to employee benefit plans and causing employees to falsely represent information to government agencies.
Formal sentencing was scheduled for November.
''It's a terrific outcome,'' said Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Braun. ''The company admitted and has been convicted for a wide rage of criminal offenses.''
A telephone message left with a Ralphs spokesman was not immediately returned.
Click on audio below to listen to more frome KNX reporter Vytas Safronikas.
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