Northwest Georgia-based Mohawk Industries has reached an $18 million settlement with some employees who claimed the company hired illegal immigrants to hold-down wages.

About 48,000 current and former workers will share in the award from one of world's largest carpet makers.

An attorney for Mohawk said the company does not admit wrongdoing in closing the book on the six-year-old lawsuit.

Tags: employees, lawsuit, Mohawk Industries, Calhoun, northwest Georgia, carpet maker, wages