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Saint Augustine, Florida - Two companies that operate the two locations of La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar in Saint Augustine and Middleburg have been ordered to pay $124,000 in back wages and damages for 39 employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division revealed wage violations.

Key Points

• Owners Victoria Espinoza and Nora Carlon required some employees to work extra hours without pay, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• The employees were required to arrive early for prep and stay late for cleaning, without being compensated for these hours. This practice led to minimum wage and overtime violations, as employees weren't paid for hours worked over 40 in a week.
• Additionally, the restaurants did not pay a cash wage to tipped workers, compelling them to work only for tips. This violation disallowed the employers from claiming a tip credit, making them owe full minimum wage and overtime compensation.
• Three 15-year-old children were employed at the Saint Augustine location in violation of federal child labor laws, working more than legally permitted hours during school sessions and late hours.
• The total amount recovered in back wages and liquidated damages was $124,592 for the 39 workers. Civil penalties amounting to $4,746 were imposed to address the child labor violations.