FIVE OAKS ONE OF THREE FACILITIES TO BE SUED BY FEDS

  

New Ulm’s Five Oaks Achievement Center is one of three for-profit residential group homes that is being sued by the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Labor is suing the three for $2.2-million on behalf of 68 employees whose wages the department says were improperly deducted.

According to the suit filed in federal court in Houston, the three facilities for troubled children improperly deducted eight hours of sleep time from the direct care staff each week.

The suit alleges the centers did not provide adequate sleep facilities and did not provide for five hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

The suit is seeking $1.1-million in damages and the same amount in overtime for the 68 employees.

Also included in the suit are: Whispering Hills Achievement Center in Flatonia and North Fork Educational Center in Wylie.