(Image source from: playavistacarwash.com)

With the raising complains against the employment and the wages around, it is not surprising that more and more employers are being exposed for wage theft and unjust payments to their employees. In such similar news, a culver based carwash company, Playa Vista’s owner has been accused with alleged wage theft and fraudulency.

It is believed to be the largest wage theft case brought in light to the Californian government against a carwash company. This Beverly Hills auto dealership mogul Hooman Nissani has been ordered by the government to pay $2.4 million back in wages and penalties. According to the reports from the State, it is believed that the company cheated 64 of its employees out of minimum wages and overtime for over three years.

The California Labour commissioner clarified that the car wash company was paying less than the legal minimum wage. Not just that, they were also denied any kind of overtime pay despite them working for over 10 hours a day and even seven days a week.

Along with Nissani, the general manager of the company, Keyvan Shamshoni asked the workers to report to one of the alleys adjoining the shop around 30 minutes before the business started. According to the further reports, it is also believed that the ones who were not touted suitable for the work were ask to leave without any payments for their waiting time as well.

Both Nissani as well as Shamshoni along with the car wash company are liable to pay the amount back of $1.8 million in back wages and the rest $516,000 for the civil penalties. Additionally, the state also asked them to pay back $19,000 which was deducted from the salaries of the workers because of the towel usage.

Nissani and Shamshoni have not got back to any of these allegations and claims which have been reported around at the carwash as well as their personal phones. Rayan Nissani, brother of Hooman Nissani clarified stating that his brother is the most loyal and honest man.

The claims against Playa Vista come in the sudden wake of judgement made by the labour commissioner against two of the other car wash companies around Orange County last month itself. While the latter did fight back to the claims vouching them for being not truthful and completely untrue. The accused have reprimanded this stating that they have asked for citations and are currently waiting for a hearing.

By Somapika Dutta