WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- Federal officials say Wal-Mart Stores has spent millions to contest a $7,000 fine over the death of an employee, killed by a crowd at a New York store.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the company has spent an estimated $2 million on lawyers and filed scores of motions, The New York Times reported Tuesday. At the same time, the company has reached a settlement with Nassau County in New York that includes donating $1.5 million to community groups.


The case has become so sensitive Labor Department employees told the Times they would not talk on the record because they feared being subpoenaed.

Jdimytai Damour, a temporary employee, was trampled when a crowd of about 5,000 people broke down the doors at a store on Long Island the day after Thanksgiving 2008.

A Wal-Mart spokesman said the company is acting on principle.

"OSHA wants to hold Wal-Mart accountable for a standard that was neither proposed nor issued at the time of the incident," David Tovar said. "The citation has far-reaching implications for the retail industry that could subject retailers to unfairly harsh penalties and restrictions on future sales promotions."