Yi Wen Yu, owner of Wen Construction Inc. of Boston’s Chinatown, has been ordered to pay more than $16,000 in restitution to four employees and $7,000 in fines to the commonwealth related to charges of violating state wage and hour laws.

In March 2008, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division began an investigation after receiving multiple referrals from the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) on behalf of affected workers. The CPA alleged that some workers had not been paid by Yu for work performed at both Big Fish Restaurant, also owned by Yu, and Wen Construction Co.

In addition to the fines and restitution imposed on Wen Construction, Yu’s Big Fish Restaurant was also ordered to pay $19,000 in restitution and another $7,000 in fines, bringing the total to $49,000.

The four affected employees of Big Fish Restaurant worked from September 2007 through January 2008.  The employees of Wen Construction worked from September 2006 through March 2007.