The owners of the Hilton Garden Inn Valencia have agreed to pay over $10,000 in back wages and $100,000 in fines resulting from violations of Los Angeles County’s minimum wage ordinance, officials said Monday.

The agreement comes after an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Wage Enforcement Program revealed the hotel had reportedly underpaid 40 employees for a six-month period in 2016, according to the department.

The hotel allegedly failed to correct the underpayments for over two years, until the investigation. The hotel owners reportedly admitted to violating the County’s minimum wage laws, and agreed to pay $50,000 of the total fines directly to the employees, according to County officials.

“The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is committed to the principle that every worker must be paid fairly and promptly as required by law,” said Joseph M. Nicchitta, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. “Underpayments of any amount can compound the financial difficulties minimum wage earners experience daily. There is no excuse for failing to pay your employees the correct wage.”

The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs enforces the minimum wage in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The current minimum wage for people who work in unincorporated Los Angeles County is $14.25 an hour for businesses with 26 or more employees and $13.25 for businesses with 25 or fewer employees, according to officials.

The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs works with business owners to educate them about the obligations under applicable wage laws, and takes complaints from employees who believe their rights are being violated at work, according to officials.

A failure to comply with applicable wage laws can result in substantial fines.

Anyone who works in unincorporated Los Angeles County and believes they are not being paid the correct minimum wage can contact the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or visit here.

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