Company Keeps Violating the California Labor Law

Palm Springs, CADavid says he was hired as a resident manager for an apartment complex owned by Landmark Equity Management Inc. At the time he didn't know that this company had previously violated several California state laws, so it came as no surprise that David was treated unfairly and the company may have violated the California Labor Law.

"My partner and I were given an apartment to live in and the general manager promised to spruce it up—it was in really bad shape," says David. (In 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that the president of Landmark was accused of forcing hundreds of Los Angeles tenants to live in slum conditions and " will serve up to five months in jail". He pleaded no contest to nearly three dozen building code violations. Landmark settled a civil suit for $10 million that alleged the company engaged in a calculated scheme to drive low-income tenants out of more than 800 rent-controlled apartment units in Los Angeles.)

David says that Landmark never paid him for work at the building. "I worked here for 45 days before I was fired," says David. "They didn't give me a reason but said I was on a probationary period and I had 3 days to leave. Not only did they owe me for all the work I did, such as cleaning and repairs and even setting rat traps; I was never given the 10 percent commission they promised on rent I collected. When I asked them about payment, they just evaded the question.

And I got a letter from management telling me not to work more than 13 hours a week. All they wanted me to do was collect the rent but tenants were banging on my door day and night to fix things...

I started March 23 and was terminated May 12. I figure they owe me about $3,000, based on minimum wage. I'm still living in this rat and roach-infested building, waiting for my day in court on August 3rd. However the municipal court is just going to deal with my eviction notice; I told Landmark I will leave when they pay my wages.

I thought I would have to take them to small claims court to get my wages. I don't know what is going to happen but I am hoping the judge will say they have to pay me and then I will leave. But I may need a labor lawyer to get my wages and overtime compensation. These people shouldn't get away with violating the California Labor Code, over and over again."