The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has brought fraud charges against two people, a brother, and a sister. Enrique Vera is the owner of Ultimate Inc. and his sister, Gloria Vera, is the company’s office manager.
- Enrique Vera faces four felony counts of workers’ compensation fraud and three felony counts of grand theft of labor.
- Gloria Vera has been charged with five counts of workers compensation fraud, three counts of insurance fraud, and three counts of grand theft of labor.
Those grand thefts of labor charges are exactly what they sound like – wage fraud.
In the US, the unemployment level is low, which is a great thing. That does not mean that all employers treat their workers fairly. When it comes to paying workers, nothing is more important than being fair. At JML Law, we believe that all workers should be compensated fairly and our team is ready to step in when you need a Los Angeles wage fraud attorney.
What Are The Issues
Low And Unfair Wages
California is familiar with the battle on low wages and recent legislation will see the minimum wage reach $15 an hour by 2023. Unfortunately, that does not mean that wages are keeping up with the cost of living increases, especially in Los Angeles.
A major problem, aside from being paid a low minimum wage that cannot keep up with the rising cost of living, is unfair wage practices.
Unpaid Overtime
It is not a secret that companies do not like to pay over time. Often, we find that employers, through intimidation and threats of job loss, will force employees to work unpaid hours. In this state, workers are entitled to:
- 1 ½ times their regular wage for additional time worked over 8 hours in a day.
- If you work more than 12 hours in a day, wages are supposed to double.
Employee Misclassification
Another way to get around labor laws is the misclassify employees as independent contractors instead of employees. By treating employees as freelancers rather than as employees, an employer can avoid paying benefits that would normally go to an employee.
This is pure victimization and leaves California workers without healthcare, paid leave, or other workplace protections. Workers are also faced with a larger tax burden.
Unpaid Commissions
Commissions can go to employees as well as independent contractors and are generally agreed upon before someone begins work with a company. They are typically awarded at the conclusion of a sale. There are times, though, when an employer will terminate a worker before they can receive an earned commission.
A commission is a compensation paid to employees for services provided while selling or closing a sale. Sometimes, an employer will terminate an employee before they receive a commission.
What You Can Do
If you have been the victim of wage fraud, or think you may have been, you should seek legal assistance when reviewing your case. At JML Law, our knowledgeable and experienced team will examine your case and guide you through all the steps to recovering compensation. If needed, we will go to court to ensure you are being treated fairly. When you need a Los Angeles wage fraud attorney, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 818-610-8800 for a free consultation today.
