Chapter 19 - The Wage Case
The Department of Labor and Chloe’s civil attorney handled unpaid wages separately.
Was Chloe an employee?
Yes, evidence showed regular schedule, assigned duties, employer control.
Was she exempt from overtime?
Mixed.
Her title said Creative Director.
Actual duties included design, management, but also substantial manual tasks.
The parties eventually settled wage claims rather than litigate every hour.
Chloe received:
Back salary.
Additional statutory amounts.
Reimbursement for documented business expenses.
Part of her inheritance loan through civil settlement and asset recovery.
Not full $140,000 immediately.
Damian did not have enough liquidity.
A restitution schedule and secured civil judgment covered remaining amounts.
Other employees resolved their own wage claims.
The Hearth paid.
Damian’s investors funded some operating settlement to keep restaurant alive temporarily.
May you like
Again, no miracle check.
Money came back slowly.
