Advanced Professional Marketing Inc., a New York staffing company accused by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) of underpaying workers by millions, and its president, Marissa Beck, contested the allegations.

"APMI and Ms. Beck have been completely cooperative with the DOL in their inquiry concerning this matter and we are troubled by their determination," according to a statement released by the company's attorney, Jim Santos. "We will vigorously contest the DOL's findings and we are already in the process of appealing the DOL's determination."

The Department of Labor announced this week that the company owes $2.9 million in back wages to 156 workers from the Philippines brought in on H-1B visas and that the firm was also assessed a civil penalty of $512,000. The workers were employed primarily as physical therapists at hospitals and other medical sites in the New York metropolitan area, according to the Department of Labor. However, an investigation found that APMI didn't pay required wages, it said.