Kelly Cook, a former employee of a Virginia-based leasing company, has filed a lawsuit alleging multiple violations of California labor laws. The complaint was filed on January 13, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against CSC Leasing Co., Rawleigh Taylor, and other unnamed defendants. Cook accuses her former employer of failing to pay wages owed, violating business practices codes, and neglecting to reimburse business expenses.
According to the court documents, Kelly Cook worked for CSC Leasing Co. from August 2017 until February 27, 2024. During her tenure as a Regional Director/Senior Account Executive based in Santa Clara County, California, she was promised commission payments for sales generated under a specific pay plan. Despite generating significant revenue for the company through valuable accounts and transactions worth millions of dollars, Cook alleges that CSC failed to pay her the earned commissions. "EMPLOYER intentionally failed to pay the commissions owed," states the complaint.
The lawsuit further claims that CSC Leasing Co., along with its owner Rawleigh Taylor and other associated entities referred to as "DOES 1 through 10," acted within their roles as agents or employers but did not fulfill their financial obligations towards Cook. The plaintiff asserts that this failure is a breach of California Labor Code sections concerning wage payment at termination and post-termination commission forfeiture being unlawful.
Cook's complaint outlines several causes of action including failure to pay wages owed and violation of Business & Professions Code §17200 due to unfair business practices by retaining earnings rightfully belonging to her. Additionally, she seeks reimbursement for business expenses incurred during her employment which were not compensated by CSC Leasing Co., thus violating Labor Code §2802.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court: unpaid wages exceeding $50,000 plus interest; reasonable attorney fees; costs related to the suit; restitution for unfair competition profits retained by CSC; reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses; vacation wages owed; waiting-time penalties under Labor Code §203; and any further relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Kelly Cook are attorneys Daniel J. Palay and Brian D. Hefelfinger from Palay Hefelfinger APC law firm. The case is presided over by Judge C. Roman under Case No: 25CV456444.