Drew Watts, a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the automobile dealership industry, has filed a lawsuit against his former employer for alleged labor violations. The complaint was lodged by Watts on January 30, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, targeting Paradise Chevrolet and several individuals associated with the company. Watts claims that he was systematically denied fair wages and other employment rights during his tenure at the dealership.
The lawsuit accuses Paradise Chevrolet, along with Joe Smith, John Thomas, and Nancy Carol Gregory—who is also a trustee and beneficiary of the Gregory Family Trust—of multiple violations of California's labor laws. Watts asserts that these defendants failed to pay him the state-mandated minimum wage and overtime compensation as stipulated under various sections of the California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders. "Defendants misclassified Mr. Watts as a salaried, exempt employee," reads the complaint, alleging that this misclassification led to unpaid overtime and off-the-clock work without proper compensation.
Watts further alleges that he was not provided with legally required meal and rest breaks during his shifts at Paradise Chevrolet. The complaint details how he was pressured into skipping breaks due to workload demands, which contravenes state regulations mandating uninterrupted meal periods for employees working more than five hours. Additionally, Watts claims that he did not receive accurate wage statements reflecting his true hours worked or timely payment upon resignation from his position in June 2024.
In seeking justice through this legal action, Watts requests compensatory damages for lost wages alongside statutory penalties for each violation cited in his complaint. He also seeks restitution for all wrongfully withheld amounts and disgorgement of profits obtained through these unfair practices. Moreover, Watts calls for attorney fees and costs related to pursuing this case against Paradise Chevrolet and its associates.
Representing Drew Watts is Joseph Tojarieh from Stonebrook Law based in Los Angeles. The case is presided over by Judge Hannah Cressy under Case No. 2VOU2SCLUIOEOSFRS8 at the Ventura Superior Court.