By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

NEW ORLEANS – A Norco business owner who co-founded the Gumbo Krewe, a group organized to serve food to first responders following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in federal court in New Orleans to accusations that he failed to pay his employees more than $74,000 in overtime wages.

Shawn C. Bradley, 47, owner of Bradley Electrical Services, was charged with violations of federal labor laws in addition to making false statements to the Department of Labor after he filed false documents showing he made restitution for the overtime pay, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s office.

Bradley pleaded guilty Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 16.

According to court documents, an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division revealed Bradley’s company failed to pay 59 employees about $74,931 in overtime wages from September 2004 through September 2006. Bradley then signed an agreement with the Department of Labor stating the company would pay the full amount.

Investigators said Bradley filed false paperwork indicating the employees were paid and then coerced 38 employees to sign forms saying they had received their back pay. Authorities said Bradley threatened to fire them if they did not sign, saying the company would go out of business. The other 18 employees were paid their full wages.

Bradley’s attorney, William P. Gibbens, said Thursday they have cooperated with the investigation and have reached a preliminary agreement that includes possible home incarceration and restitution. Bradley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Bradley Electric also faces a maximum fine of $100,000.

Gibbens said Bradley’s company is still operating normally, and he added the Gumbo Krewe is still operating and handing out meals to police and firemen. The Gumbo Krewe, which provided meals to first responders to the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as Hurricane Katrina, is not involved in the investigation.