California Labor Commissioner Cites Los Angeles Restaurant $680K

The California Labor Commissioner’s Office cited J BBQ, a Koreatown restaurant, more than $680,000 for wage theft violations.

A total of 48 workers were impacted by the violations, which included unpaid wages, denied breaks, and inaccurate wage statements, according to the LCO.

The LCO reportedly found that J BBQ, a restaurant operated by Midri Inc. and its owner, Byung Kwan Lee, frequently failed to pay employees all wages owed, denied their legally required meal and rest breaks, and provided incomplete or inaccurate wage statements. Some workers were reportedly denied rest periods and were required to remain on the premises even during lunch breaks to help customers. Additionally, staff reportedly worked split shifts without receiving premium pay as required by law.

This investigation was launched by a referral from the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, a community organization that advocates for restaurant and retail employees.

The total amount cited by the LCO is $680,238, of which $538,638 is payable to the workers. The LCO is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations.