Catherine DiVita recently represented a pro bono client resulting in a favorable outcome for our client. The client owns and operates an organic farm in Massachusetts, raising and selling crops and farm animals. They were recently audited by the Department of Labor, DOL, for three years’ worth of wage and hour practices, focusing on their failure to pay minimum wages and overtime in accordance with federal law.
When Conn Kavanaugh was referred the case, the DOL had already determined the client owed $17,408 in unpaid wages.This could have subjected them to multiple damages and enforcement action.
After much research and tireless efforts, Catherine determined the client had defenses to the DOL audit findings, mostly surrounding housing and food credits that were applied to reduce the unpaid wages. Ultimately, she convinced the DOL to accept the credits and the amounts owed were reduced to $8613.
In addition, she convinced the DOL, given our client’s financial condition, to re-pay the amounts owed over 15 months, at a negligible interest rate (1% ).
The client was referred to Conn Kavanaugh through the Legal Food Hub. Click here to learn more about Conn Kavanaugh’s commitment to pro bono work.
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