In a significant legal move, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against a major logistics company and its affiliates for alleged labor violations affecting numerous employees. On January 7, 2025, Elie Maalouf lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, targeting Villagrana Logistics, Inc., Amazon.com Services LLC, Amazon.com Services Inc., and additional unnamed defendants.
The lawsuit centers around allegations that the defendants systematically failed to adhere to California's labor laws concerning overtime pay, minimum wage requirements, meal and rest breaks, and accurate wage statements. Elie Maalouf claims that from March 2024 to July 2024, he was employed as a non-exempt worker responsible for driving and deliveries. During this period, Maalouf alleges he was not compensated for overtime work or provided with legally mandated breaks. The complaint accuses the defendants of engaging in practices such as "detrimental rounding" of time entries and manipulating time records to avoid paying full wages. Furthermore, it is alleged that employees were required to perform tasks off-the-clock without compensation.
Maalouf argues that these practices constitute unfair competition under California's Business and Professions Code by giving the defendants an unlawful advantage over compliant businesses. The complaint seeks restitution for unpaid wages, penalties for labor code violations including waiting time penalties for late payment of wages upon termination or resignation, and injunctive relief to prevent further violations. Additionally, Maalouf demands damages for unpaid premium wages due to missed meal and rest periods.
The plaintiff is represented by attorneys David D. Bibiyan and Sarah H. Cohen from Bibiyan Law Group P.C., who are experienced in handling class-action lawsuits related to wage disputes. The case has been assigned Case No. Z025CUCEO3B978 in the Superior Court of California with Aronda L. Mogommick serving as the executive officer/clerk overseeing proceedings.