In a significant legal move, a class action lawsuit has been filed against a California-based corporation accused of multiple labor law violations. The complaint was lodged by plaintiffs Rachael Byrnes and Jeremy Lastra on November 27, 2024, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento against CDLAKE, LLC, operating as Crawdads on the Lake and Crawdads on the River.
The plaintiffs allege that CDLAKE, LLC engaged in systematic violations of California labor laws affecting them and other similarly situated employees. According to the complaint, Byrnes and Lastra worked as non-exempt hourly employees from May 27, 2024, to October 25, 2024. They claim that the company failed to pay minimum and overtime wages as required by law, did not provide mandatory meal and rest periods, and failed to reimburse business expenses. The lawsuit accuses CDLAKE of "willfully" neglecting these obligations under various sections of the California Labor Code including §§ 204, 1194, 1197 for wages; §§ 226.7 and 512 for meal periods; § 2802 for indemnification; and others related to accurate wage statements and timely payment upon employment termination.
The complaint outlines how employees were often required to work off-the-clock without compensation or during unpaid breaks. It also alleges that time records were altered to conceal these violations. The plaintiffs argue that these practices constitute unfair business practices under California Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq., seeking restitution for unpaid wages among other remedies.
Byrnes and Lastra are pursuing this case not only for themselves but also on behalf of all affected employees within the statutory period defined by the claims. They are seeking certification as class representatives with Wilshire Law Firm serving as class counsel. Their demands include recovery of unpaid wages at both minimum and overtime rates, statutory penalties for each violation cited in their nine causes of action, injunctive relief to prevent further violations by CDLAKE, reimbursement for business expenses incurred without compensation, interest on unpaid amounts due from their employment period until settlement or judgment is reached.
Represented by attorneys Molly DeSario, James Yoo, and Ruby Carrera from Wilshire Law Firm PLC based in Los Angeles, Byrnes and Lastra have called for a jury trial to resolve these issues. This case is being overseen under Case No.: 2 $0" DO 2-4 U3 S41 in front of an appointed judge yet unnamed.