News
Athens Business To Pony Up $30K In Minimum Wage Case
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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An Athens floral shop has been ordered to pay more than $30,000 in unpaid minimum wages and statutory damages to a former employee.
In a judgment entry filed last week in Athens County Common Pleas Court, the Athens Flower Shop, Inc. — owned by Athens City Council President Jim Sands — has been ordered to pay $10,548 in minimum wages and $21,097 in statutory damages to former employee Thomas Armstrong.
In a letter sent to the flower shop dated July 8, 2013, the Ohio Department of Commerce stated that it has completed an investigation into the wages paid by the company.
“The audit revealed violations of Ohio’s Minimum Wage Law, Chapter 4111, of the Ohio Revised Code and, as a result, it has been determined that back wages are owed,” the letter states.
According to court documents, Athens Flower Shop, Inc. “failed to plead, appear or otherwise defend this action.” The court granted default judgment in favor of Armstrong and also ordered the business to pay court costs.
Sands could not be reached by The Messenger for comment Monday.