The federal government is now going after a Seattle-area company after KIRO 7 Consumer Investigator Amy Clancy first exposed the business for not paying its employees.

Clancy started investigating Baristas Coffee Company nearly a year ago. It all started when a number of workers at Baristas bikini espresso stands throughout the Puget Sound area told Clancy they were not being paid.

During our first investigation in February, we reported that workers didn't always get their paychecks. When they did, the paychecks weren't always signed, and when they were signed, the checks often bounced.

Clancy learned that the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) investigated 16 such complaints.

L&I then ordered Baristas owner Barry Henthorn to pay some of those employees and pay fines.

Feds Believe Baristas Company Willingly Violated Regulations

Now comes a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of 45 Baristas employees.

The federal documents have many of the same claims we first reported: that Barry Henthorn and Baristas Coffee Company president Scott Steciw often paid with checks that were unsigned or that had insufficient funds. The department of labor also claims Baristas didn't pay overtime and that the company violated record-keeping regulations.

The feds are suing for back wages, damages and more than $42,000 in penalties, the documents reveal, because the feds believe Baristas violated regulations willfully.

Baristas Says It's Working To Resolve Issues

On Wednesday, when Clancy asked Baristas owner Barry Henthorn for comment, he responded that he is working closely with authorities to resolve any issues. In an e-mailed response, Henthorn claims:

"Amy,
"We have and continue to work closely with the authorities to resolve any issues. The vast majority of all claims in the complaint have been resolved for some time and we believe we have met our legal obligations.  We have and will continue to comply with all requirements and look forward to putting this behind us.
 
"Thank you for the opportuity (sic) to respond.
 
"Baristas Coffee Company"

But Washington state L&I tells Clancy that as of Wednesday, the company still owes more than $2,200 in mostly penalties and fees.

L&I says Baristas is currently making payments to the state of $250 a month. Obviously, that's all separate from the new federal investigation.

Federal Complaint Against Baristas Coffee Company