Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, DOJ NEWS—Two Georgia men and one Chinese citizen indicted for alleged forced labor violations against Chinese workers, (Aug 17, 2026)
Organizations Mentioned:U.S. Department of Justice | Wellmade Industries
By WK Editorial Staff
The defendants allegedly recruited Chinese citizens to come to the U.S. under false pretenses using B-1 and L-1 visas to work at flooring manufacturer Wellmade Industries.
Three individuals connected to a Georgia flooring manufacturer have been indicted on federal forced labor and immigration-related charges stemming from an alleged scheme to recruit and exploit Chinese workers at a factory in Cartersville, Georgia, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Forced labor charges. A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia charged two U.S. citizens, along with a citizen of China, with conspiracy to commit forced labor and forced labor. One of the U.S. defendants also faces a charge of “harboring” an individual who is not a citizen of the U.S.
Georgia flooring manufacturer. According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly recruited Chinese citizens to come to the U.S. “under false pretenses,” using B-1 and L-1 visas to work at Wellmade Industries, a flooring manufacturer. DOJ prosecutors allege that, once the workers from China arrived, the defendants confiscated their immigration documents and required them to work 12-hour shifts, six days a week.
Overtime, benefits allegations. The indictment further alleges that the Chinese workers were paid less than promised, denied overtime pay and health benefits, and threatened with deportation and substantial debts if they complained. DOJ prosecutors also claim that the Chinese workers were subjected to verbal, psychological, and physical abuse, and that they were housed in company-owned residences despite lacking legal authorization to work under the terms of their visas.
Remedies. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Prosecutors from the Justice Department's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia are involved.
Companies: Wellmade Industries
News: Immigration WageHour Overtime Labor RemediesDamages AgencyNews