Restaurant Owners in LA and Lacey Face Hefty Fines for Wage Theft and Labor Violations
Popular LA Korean barbecue restaurant, Oo-Kook Korean BBQ, has been fined $66,529 for wage theft after a manager participated in the employee tip pool and took over $28,000 in tips that should have gone to workers. The owners will pay unpaid tips and damages to affected employees, as well as a civil penalty. This is not the first time the restaurant has faced wage violation charges, with previous investigations resulting in back wages for workers. The U.S. Department of Labor's cross-regional initiative and collaboration with the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance played a crucial role in uncovering the violations.