Wicked Local Please support local journalism by subscribing here. The Beacon's news partner WCVB reports that Colonial Automotive Group of Acton has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it exploited the state unemployment system during the COVID-19 pandemic, Attorney General Maura Healey announced Friday. Healey's office said the company, which operates 16 dealerships across the region, encouraged furloughed employees to apply for unemployment benefits during a state-mandated closure of car dealership showrooms. However, they also allegedly asked those to employees continue to work without pay. Colonial allegedly asked employees to call prospective buyers, schedule appointments with customers, deliver cars and finalize sales during a time where they were not being paid by the company.