Current:Home > MyBay Area Subway franchises must pay $1 million for endangering children, stealing checks -MoneyStream
Bay Area Subway franchises must pay $1 million for endangering children, stealing checks
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:44:59
Children as young as 14 working at various Bay Area Subways were directed to use dangerous equipment and work hours not permitted by law. And now the Subway owners have to pay them nearly $1 million in back wages and damages, according to an order by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Federal investigators found that the owners and operators didn't pay employees regularly, issued them hundreds of bad checks, and illegally stole their tips. The court also ordered the owners shut down their businesses by Nov. 27.
The accusations were lodged against John Meza, Jessica Meza, and Hamza Ayesh. Investigators found that the Mezas, who are the owners, interfered with the Wage and Hour Division's review of the accusations and had also coerced employees not to cooperate with the investigation. They also threatened children who expressed concerns or tried to exercise their legal rights.
Investigators also found that Meza's associate, Ayesh, threatened an employee who complained about their bounced paycheck.
The Mezas have been ordered to pay 184 workers $475,000 in minimum wage, overtime and tips, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and $150,000 in penalties. The Mezas and Ayesh will also have to pay $12,000 in punitive damages for their retaliatory conduct, according to the court order.
US wage growth is finally outpacinginflation. Many Americans aren't feeling it.
Bank of America increasesminimum wage for fifth consecutive year
The Bay Area Subway stores under investigation
The 14 Subway Bay Area locations are under investigation and litigation:
- 2777 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, California
- 1026 Oak St., Suite #103, Clayton, California
- 301 Sun Valley Mall, Concord, California
- 8500 Gravestein Highway, Unit B, Cotati, California
- 2375 California Blvd., Napa, California
- 3214 Jefferson St., Napa, California
- 902 Enterprise Way, Unit A, Napa, California
- 2620 Lakeville Highway, Unit #320, Petaluma, California
- 221 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, California
- 961 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, California
- 13501 San Pablo Ave, San Pablo, California
- 124-B Calistoga Road, Santa Rosa, California
- 199 Lincoln Road West, C, Vallejo, California
- 6400 Hembree Lane, Unit #100, Windsor, California
veryGood! (9542)
Related
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Utah man posing as doctor selling fake COVID-19 cure arrested after three-year manhunt
- Video: Rep. Ronny Jackson, former Trump physician, seen scuffling at rodeo with Texas cops
- Advocates sue federal government for failing to ban imports of cocoa harvested by children
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Election board finds no pattern of nomination signature fraud in Rhode Island US House race
- 2 Missouri moms charged with misdemeanors for children’s absences lose their court battle
- Michigan man pleads guilty to assaulting police officer in January 2021 US Capitol attack
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Pet daycare flooding kills several dogs in Washington DC; Firefighter calls staff heroes
Ranking
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Judge blocks Internet Archive from sharing copyrighted books
- Despite the Hollywood strike, some movies are still in production. Here's why
- South Korea’s Yoon calls for strong security cooperation with US, Japan ahead of Camp David summit
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Shania Twain promises 'all the hits' for latest Las Vegas residency starting in 2024
- Pamper Yourself With $118 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Face Masks for Just $45
- Game of Thrones Actor Darren Kent Dead at 36
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
Kentucky’s GOP candidate for governor unveiled his education plan. Tutoring is a big part of it
Georgia tribunal rejects recommendation to fire teacher over controversial book
James Harden vows 'never' to return to Sixers as long as 'liar' Daryl Morey is there
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
A Community-Led Approach to Stopping Flooding Expands in the Chicago Region
New Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Wedding Details Revealed By Celeb Guest 23 Years Later
See Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in Netflix's first 'Maestro' teaser trailer