Autoshop owner sued after dumping 500 pounds of pennies on ex-employee driveway
The US Department of Labor filed a lawsuit late last month against a car repair shop in Georgia for violating federal labor law, after the owner retaliated against a former employee who contacted the agency when he did not receive his last paycheck.
Miles Walker, the owner of A OK Walker Autoworks in Peachtree City, finally got Andreas Flaten’s final salary – by dumping 91,500 oil-covered pennies in his driveway. The unwanted delivery also came with a note expressing a brief expression.
Flaten quit his job at A OK after an argument with the boss and contacted the Ministry of Labor in January to say that he owed 915 dollars. The next day, Walker received a phone call from the department, saying he would not pay Flaten. Hours later, he decided to pay him in kroner.
“How can you make this guy realize what a disgusting example of a human being he is,”[ads1]; Walker said in the lawsuit. “I have plenty of pennies; I’ll use them.”
Walker and Flaten have not responded to CNN’s request for comment.
In March 2021, Walker dumped the crowns in Flaten’s driveway. Walker then posted on the store’s website.
“What started as a godcha to a subordinate former employee probably got a lot of pressure … Let’s just say that maybe he stole? Maybe he killed a dog? Maybe he killed a cat? Maybe he was lazy? Maybe he was a butcher ? ” the lawsuit claimed he wrote.
The flat told Fox 5 Atlanta that it took hours to move pennies into his garage and caused the tire to flatten in his wheelbarrow.
“Under the law, employee engagement with the U.S. Department of Labor is a protected activity. Employees have the right to receive information about their rights in the workplace and receive the pay they have earned without fear of harassment or threats,” said Atlanta DoL Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven. Salazar in a statement.
The Ministry of Labor is seeking $ 36,971 in severance pay and compensation on behalf of several employees, including Flaten. An investigation found Walker and the store engaged in retaliation and broke overtime laws by only paying employees a fixed weekly price. The lawsuit also alleges that the car shop failed to keep accurate payroll.
