North Providence Doctor Accused Of Violating Labor Laws

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — A North Providence doctor previously accused of intentionally exposing staff and patients to COVID is now denying allegations that he violated federal labor laws by failing to pay employees overtime, regardless of how many hours they worked.

The U.S. Dept. of Labor filed a complaint in U.S. District Court alleging that Dr. Anthony G. Farina Jr. and his sister Brenda DelSignore, who handles payroll and billing, since 2015 willfully and repeatedly violated the Fair Labor Standards Act. Lawyers in the case delivered arguments on Wednesday, the Providence Journal reports.

Attorneys for the labor department argued that Farina and DelSignore knowingly violated worker protection laws by failing to pay overtime unless it was authorized in advance, automatically deducting time for lunch, and failing to account for overtime hours accrued by staff working in multiple locations.

An attorney representing Farina denied that any violations were willful and disputed the charges. U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy said she would issue a ruling at a later date.

Four of Farina's six practices are named as defendants: North Providence Primary Care Associates, North Providence Urgent Care, Center of New England Primary Care in Coventry, and Center of New England Urgent Care in West Greenwich.

Back in January, Farina's medical license was suspended by state regulators after investigators determined that he deliberately exposed patients and staff to the coronavirus. Witnesses testified that Farina continued to work and see patients after testing positive for COVID-19, and that he was wearing a face mask with his nose exposed. Farina is appealing the suspension of his license, his lawyer stated at the time.