The Labor Department says Kismet International owed more than $207,000 after a years-long appeals process upheld findings tied to unemployment and disability contributions.
MORRISTOWN, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development issued a stop-work order against Kismet International Inc., doing business as Kismet Int. Limo & Teaneck Taxi Service, after an audit found the company misclassified 80 drivers. The order was issued on May 20, and the department announced it on May 26.
The company, located at 800 Cedar Lane in Teaneck, was audited for the years 2012 through 2015. NJDOL said the audit found $206,965.79 in outstanding liabilities and a total outstanding balance of $207,358.81 when combined with additional amounts previously owed.
According to the Labor Department, the company challenged the findings, but the decision was upheld after years of legal proceedings. The department said the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division affirmed the Labor Commissioner’s final agency decision.
The listed violations involve the Unemployment Compensation Law, including required contributions to the Unemployment Compensation Fund and State Disability Benefit Fund. NJDOL said its Employer Accounts division has issued nine stop-work orders and 123 notices of intent to issue stop-work orders, leading to recovery of $2,304,915.55 in outstanding liabilities.
Stop-work orders are used by NJDOL to halt work performed in a way the department says exploits workers or violates state labor laws. A stop-work order remains in place until the employer pays the award in full, according to the department.