JUNEAU -- An Alaska tour operator has been fined $1.5 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance, violating stop work orders and misclassifying employees as independent contractors.

Ultimate Tours LLC and Godwin Glacier Tours LLC can appeal the Alaska Workers' Compensation Board decision or ask that it reconsider. An attorney for the tour operator declined comment.

Mike Monagle, director of the workers' compensation division, said the state tried to reach agreement with the company but it wasn't cooperative with investigators.

He said stop work orders were issued in 2005 and 2010, meaning the company couldn't have employees. He said the operator designated workers as independent contractors.