Department of Labor recovers $157K in owed wages, damages for 46 food service workers denied overtime in Rio Grande Valley

Employer name:                 LJ2 Investments LLC, operating as Jasso ExpressInvestigation site:             805 E. Ferguson Ave.                                                     Pharr, TX 78577Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found LJ2 Investments LLC – operator of Jasso Express food trucks – failed to pay the required time and one-half the hourly wages of 46 catering service workers for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Additionally, the employer failed to keep records, in violation of federal law.  Back wages recovered:  $78,664 in back wages                                                    $78,664 in liquidated damagesIn fiscal year 2023, the division recovered more than $29 million owed to nearly 26,000 food service industry workers. Food service is among the division’s low-wage, high violation industries with the third highest amount of back wages recovered and the second highest amount of civil money penalties assessed.                                        Quote: “Federal law is very clear about paying overtime and leaves no excuse for an employer to deprive workers of their lawfully earned wages,” said District Director Cynthia Cantu-Flores in McAllen, Texas. “The U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to protecting our nation’s workers and holding employers accountable.”Lea en Español