In a compelling legal battle that could set significant precedents for employment law, two former executives are taking on their past employers over unpaid wages and alleged unfair business practices. On December 13, 2024, James F. Coward and Cynthia Gamble filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against CACI Photonics, LLC, CACI, Inc. - Federal, and OneLight Holdings, Inc., accusing them of failing to pay earned wages upon termination and engaging in unlawful business practices.
The plaintiffs, James F. Coward and Cynthia Gamble, allege that they were not compensated for their services after terminating their officer roles at CACI Photonics following its acquisition by CACI Federal from OneLight Holdings. The complaint states that Coward served as Chief Executive Officer while Gamble was the Chief Financial Officer until December 8, 2021. Despite continuing to work through the sale's completion on December 16, 2021, they claim they were owed $307,942 and $104,543 respectively in unpaid wages including salary and bonuses.
The lawsuit highlights a dispute between CACI Federal and OneLight Holdings regarding responsibility for these unpaid wages. Under California Labor Code § 201 and § 203, employers must pay all due compensation immediately upon discharge or face penalties. The plaintiffs argue that the defendants willfully neglected this obligation. As such, they seek not only their unpaid wages but also penalties amounting to 30 days' worth of wages as per California law.
Additionally, Coward and Gamble accuse the defendants of violating Business and Professions Code § 17200 by engaging in unfair competition through fraudulent business practices—namely withholding owed compensation to gain an unfair advantage in labor costs. They assert that these actions have caused them financial harm while benefiting the defendants unlawfully.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $500,000 along with pre-judgment interest on monetary reliefs. They also demand punitive damages for what they describe as willful misconduct by the defendants. Furthermore, they request restitution for all unpaid wages plus interest as well as attorneys’ fees incurred during this legal pursuit.
Representing Coward and Gamble is Joseph A. Lepera from Lepera + Associates PC based in San Francisco. The case is being reviewed under Case No.: 24CV454039 by Judge C. Roman at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.