Nearly $1M Damages Awarded in Trafficking/Slavery Case: Rana v. Islam

Rana v. Islam, Sept. 26, 2016- "Mashud Parves Rana brings this action against his former employers, Monirul Islam and his wife, Fahima Tashina Prova, for violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act ("TVPA"), 18 U.S.c. § 1589 et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"), 29 U.s.c. § 201 et seq., and the New York State Labor Law ("NYLL"), N.Y. Labor Law § 190 et seq., and for breach of contract. Rana alleges that the defendants lured him to the United States to work as their domestic servant during Islam's time as Bangladeshi Consul General in New York City. Plaintiff claims that during his employment defendants refused to pay him, maintained him in a state of slavery, and physically and emotionally abused him. After protracted proceedings and defendants' repeated failure to comply with discovery orders, the Court entered a judgment of default against defendants pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 37. In light of the default judgment, the well-pleaded allegations in Rana's complaint are deemed admitted, and only Rana's damages remain to be determined. ... The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in favor of Rana against defendants Monirul Islam and Fahima Tashina Prova in the amount of $922,597.31."