KALAMAZOO, MI (WTVB) – The former operator of the Super 8 Motel in Coldwater and the Rodeway Inn in Battle Creek has been ordered to serve two months in a federal prison after he entered a guilty plea to charges he forced his employees to work for less than the minimum wage.
When federal officials found out about it three years ago, they ordered Mehul Patel, who is also known as Mike Patel, to make restitution or face criminal charges.
He cut the checks for back pay, but the indictment claims he forced those employees to give the money right back to him.
Patel has also been investigated for allegedly allowing prostitutes to operate out of the two facilities and other crimes.
The time he was ordered to serve in prison was far less than the maximum sentence of five years that was agreed to in the plea agreement.
The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that District Judge Paul Maloney fined Patel $10,000 with the judge determining within the next month if Patel will pay a quarter million dollars in restitution.
