US Department of Labor files complaint against Georgia hotels, owner who allegedly violated federal wage laws, retaliated against workers

Date of action:                       Feb. 22, 2022

Type of action:                      Complaint

Court:                                     U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division

Names of defendants:           Jankijuhi Inc., operating as America’s Best Value Inn; Juhi Janki LLC, operating as Hofbrau River Front Hotel; Jasmine Juhi LLC, operating as Budgetel Inn;        Chhaganbhai Somabai Inc., operating as Jameson Hotel; and Ashvin Patel, owner

Allegations: An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor of the above-named defendants, each operating in Helen, Georgia, identified the following Fair Labor Standards Act violations:

• Paid flat salaries without regard to the number of hours worked, which led to minimum wage violations when average hourly wage rates fell below the federal minimum wage.
• Paid flat salaries and failed to pay time-and-one-half rate for overtime when workers exceeded 40 hours in a workweek.
• Engaged in discriminatory actions and violated workers’ federally protected rights when they retaliated against workers suspected of filing complaints.

In its complaint, the division has requested a court order to enjoin the employer from further FLSA violations.

Quote: “Employers are required to comply with all applicable anti-retaliation laws, including those meant to ensure worker protection regarding wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Tremelle Howard in Atlanta.