Oskaloosa ? The U.S. Dept. of Labor cited Oskaloosa Thriftway store for youth employment violations, according to a statement released by the department’s Wage and Hour Division.

The store was assessed $20,487 in penalties, which have been paid. The citations were issued after an investigation found nine youths under 16 employed in violation of the hours-time standards of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The violations included minors working as early as 5:32 a.m. and working beyond 7 p.m. numerous times after Labor Day through the end of May during the school year.

Store manager Mark Balocca took the blame for the violations when called by the Journal-World. He said it was an oversight on his part concerning 15-year-olds working too many hours. He said it didn’t involve work that was dangerous.

Balocca said corrective measures have been taken.