Attorney General files wage theft lawsuit against Stearns County dairy farm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison files a wage theft lawsuit against a dairy farm in Stearns County.

The lawsuit names Evergreen Acres Dairy in Paynesville, Evergreen Estates, Morgan Feedlots, and the dairy operations’ owners Keith Schaefer and his daughter Megan Hill.

Attorney General Ellison estimates that Evergreen owes its employees at least $3 million in earned but unpaid wages.

He says they have deprived vulnerable workers by shaving regular and overtime hours from paychecks.

The lawsuit also states the onsite housing violates basic health and safety standards, including only having space heaters for warmth, having severe insect infestations and some having no toliet.