Feds sue auto repair shop that paid former employee in pennies

The U.S. Section of Labor is suing the auto restore store that built headlines very last yr by paying a previous worker his remaining paycheck in pennies.

The match, submitted Dec. 30 in the United States District Courtroom for the Northern District of Georgia, alleges that A Okay Walker Autoworks and its operator Miles Walker, discriminated versus Andreas Flaten because he experienced named the Section of Labor to report not getting his very last paycheck.

“Within several hours of mastering that Mr. Flaten had complained to [the Wage and Hour Division] about not acquiring his past paycheck, defendants made the decision to pay Mr. Flaten in pennies,” the match alleged.

In March of final yr, Flaten discovered 91,500 pennies in his driveway, in accordance to the fit. “Defendants remaining a duplicate of Mr. Flaten’s paycheck with an expletive created on the outdoors.”

The Division of Labor also observed that A Ok Walker Autoworks in Peachtree Town experienced failed to spend employees for overtime work considering that at the very least April of 2019.

The fit also alleged that A Okay Walker Autoworks failed “to make, keep and preserve adequate and precise documents of the people utilized and of the wages, hrs and other ailments and practices of employment maintained by them,” which is essential by the Office of Labor.

A Okay Walker Autoworks did not promptly react to a request for remark on Friday.

Right after receiving media consideration for the penny stunt last 12 months, a web site named “Pennies” appeared on Okay Walker Autoworks’ internet site.

“Ahh, the pennies. What started out as a gotcha to a subpar ex-employee, positive received a ton of press,” claimed the website page, in element.

“Regretably, by regulation, we are unable to disclose his shortcomings. Permit us just say that perhaps he stole? Possibly he killed a doggy? Probably he killed a cat? Probably he was lazy? Probably he was a butcher? Perhaps he preferred self-gratifying himself in clients’ cars and trucks?” it claimed. “Whatsoever you want to feel is your prerogative. But know that no just one would go to the trouble we did to make a position with out being enthusiastic.”

The webpage went on to say that the U.S. Division of Labor explained to the company that Flaten could be paid out in any denomination, and Flaten was paid far more than A Ok Walker Autoworks was “lawfully obligated to give him” simply because the company required to involve the price tag to process the improve.

The enterprise claimed that 100,003 pennies, 750 dimes, two quarters, a nickel, and Flaten’s pay out stub had been still left on his driveway.

Flaten experienced alleged that the pennies he was compensated had been covered in an oily material. A Ok Walker Autoworks denied the claim, and it wasn’t outlined in the lawsuit.

“Pennies are cash! They are federally backed United States forex and are fantastic for all debts community or non-public,” A Alright Walker Autoworks’ “Pennies” web page said.

A separate webpage on the company’s web page peddles a branded shirt for $20, with the promise that a portion of proceeds will be donated to charity. The back again of the T-shirt reads: “A Penny for your Thoughts.”