A class action lawsuit has been filed against a prominent plant distribution company, alleging widespread labor violations affecting numerous employees. On February 13, 2025, Octavio Mejia lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, accusing Bonnie Plants, LLC of failing to comply with various labor laws and regulations.
The plaintiff, Octavio Mejia, who worked as a non-exempt employee for Bonnie Plants from February 2022 to October 2024, claims that the company systematically failed to pay minimum and overtime wages. According to the complaint, "Defendants maintained an unlawful policy/practice that failed to pay Plaintiff and other non-exempt employees for all hours worked." The allegations extend to meal and rest period violations where employees were required to work through their breaks without compensation. Additionally, Mejia accuses Bonnie Plants of not reimbursing necessary business expenses incurred by employees using personal devices for work purposes. The complaint outlines multiple violations under California Labor Code sections including §§ 201-204, 226 et seq., 226.7, among others.
Mejia seeks restitution for unpaid wages and penalties due to these alleged infractions. The lawsuit demands compensation for damages resulting from unpaid minimum and overtime wages, meal and rest period premiums, and reimbursement for business expenses. Furthermore, it seeks statutory penalties for wage statement violations and waiting time penalties under California law. Through this legal action, Mejia aims to recover financial losses incurred by himself and other similarly affected employees over several years.
Representing the plaintiff is Haines Law Group APC with attorneys Paul K. Haines, Fletcher W. Schmidt, Andrew J. Rowbotham, and Humberto Castorena Rodriguez leading the charge against Bonnie Plants. The case is identified as Case No.: 2025 CUO0E0 38236 in the Superior Court of California in Ventura County.