MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  An article printed in the New York Times says a private probation company working for Rutherford County is being sued for violating racketeering laws.

The article out yesterday says a lawsuit was filed yesterday in Federal District Court in Nashville against Providence Community Corrections. The suit claims the company is extorting money from Rutherford County probationers through “The wrongful use of fear.”

In a statement the company says it hasn’t yet seen the lawsuit, but claims it complies “with the laws governing the probation system.”

The suit was filed by a group called Equal Justice Under Law which says Providence extorted money from seven mid-state probationers, telling them they would go to jail if they didn’t pay. The probationers say they lost jobs, cars and went without food to pay their fines.

Equal Justice says all the cases involve traffic violations and misdemeanor offenses.

When contacted by the paper, Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess’ office had no comment.

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