Can't take your wage theft with you

Which, I guess, for Tom Benson, is a good thing.  What does he care about $400,000 now?

The New Orleans Saints violated federal labor law by failing to pay overtime wages to the former personal assistant of late owner Tom Benson, according to an NFL arbitrator who has ordered the team to cough up nearly $400,000.

The arbitrator ordered the Saints to pay $100,000 in unpaid overtime to the ex-aide, Rodney Henry, as well as a fee of about $105,000 that his contract guaranteed him if he was dismissed by someone other than Benson.

Arbitrator Harold Henderson also tacked on another nearly $190,000 to cover Henry’s attorneys’ fees, capping off a legal battle that began three years ago when Henry was fired and concluded Wednesday, documents obtained by The Advocate show.

Henderson had previously rejected Henry’s claims that he had been fired from his post in retaliation for, among other things, complaining to a superior that Benson’s wife, Gayle, had made racially derogatory comments about him while on the clock

The best part of this is where Gayle claimed it didn't matter what she may have called Henry on account of the fact that she really isn't liable for anything that happens. 

For example, responding to questions on whether she might have had the influence to get Henry fired, Gayle Benson replied: “I did not work for the Saints organization. … People in the Saints organization – I don’t have any power here. I’m Mrs. Benson. I’m married to my husband, and that’s it. The employees aren’t going to listen to me.”

That portrayal contrasts with Tom Benson’s public statements that Gayle Benson had long been taking “an active part” and “working with” the leaders of his sports franchises, as she prepared to inherit control of his billion-dollar business empire after he cut his daughter and grandchildren from a previous marriage out of his life.

 I guess she lost that Mrs. immunity when death did them part?

Anyway, hey, training camp opened today!