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Two D.C. employers to pay almost $500,000 in wage theft cases | Two D.C. employers to pay almost $500,000 in wage theft cases |
(32 minutes later) | |
The District’s attorney general said Thursday that two employers will pay almost $500,000 in penalties to their workers and the city after investigations into wage theft. | The District’s attorney general said Thursday that two employers will pay almost $500,000 in penalties to their workers and the city after investigations into wage theft. |
The D.C. attorney general’s office said it investigated Rock Spring Contracting, a Maryland drywall contractor, and J.D. Nursing and Management Services, a home health-care provider based in the District until it closed in 2016. | |
In a statement, the attorney general’s office said Rock Spring misclassified 75 drywall workers as independent contractors from 2015 to 2017 and will pay more than $225,000 in penalties to the city and more than $56,000 in restitution to employees. | In a statement, the attorney general’s office said Rock Spring misclassified 75 drywall workers as independent contractors from 2015 to 2017 and will pay more than $225,000 in penalties to the city and more than $56,000 in restitution to employees. |
Under D.C. law, businesses must pay employees at least $14 per hour and provide overtime pay. | Under D.C. law, businesses must pay employees at least $14 per hour and provide overtime pay. |
In the other case, the attorney general sued J.D. Nursing and Management Services and its former CEO in 2017, alleging the company failed to pay more than 20 personal-care aides more than 150 hours worth of wages each, officials said. After the city won a court ruling in the case last month, the attorney general’s office said it will seek to collect about $195,000 for the workers. Officials also said $22,050 is owed in penalties to the District. | |
A call Thursday to an attorney for J.D. Nursing and Management Services was not returned. A representative for Rock Spring Contracting declined to comment. | A call Thursday to an attorney for J.D. Nursing and Management Services was not returned. A representative for Rock Spring Contracting declined to comment. |
In an interview, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine said his office has sought to crack down on wage theft in a battle against “a stubborn minority” of employers who “look to cheat employees.” | In an interview, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine said his office has sought to crack down on wage theft in a battle against “a stubborn minority” of employers who “look to cheat employees.” |
His office has launched more than 30 investigations into the practice, he said, including the construction industry, where a report he commissioned last year found those who commit payroll fraud unfairly underbid those who don’t. | His office has launched more than 30 investigations into the practice, he said, including the construction industry, where a report he commissioned last year found those who commit payroll fraud unfairly underbid those who don’t. |
“Employers should follow the law in the District of Columbia,” he said. “We’re supporting employees, supporting the rule of law and supporting what is supposed to be a genuinely competitive business.” | “Employers should follow the law in the District of Columbia,” he said. “We’re supporting employees, supporting the rule of law and supporting what is supposed to be a genuinely competitive business.” |
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