Live Nation Entertainment finds itself in the midst of a legal storm as it grapples with allegations of wage theft in California. As reported by Law.com and confirmed by Newsound, a lawsuit has been filed, casting a shadow over the live music giant. The complaint, lodged this week, accuses Insomniac Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Live Nation, of violating California labor laws. The laundry list of allegations includes failure to pay overtime wages, neglecting minimum wage requirements, and skipping meal breaks for employees.
This legal showdown unfolded in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, with Bibiyan Law Group representing King Johnson, who served as a security guard for Insomniac from approximately June 2021 to at least July 2022, according to the complaint. Johnson is wielding the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004, a unique state law empowering “aggrieved employees” to take legal action against employers for labor code violations, not just for themselves but on behalf of their fellow workers who may have suffered similar grievances. The lawsuit casts a wide net, targeting not only Insomniac but also any parent, subsidiary, or affiliate companies within California under the Live Nation Entertainment umbrella.
The complaint paints a troubling picture of Insomniac’s alleged practices, claiming that employees were compelled to remain on-call even when off the clock, complete pre-shift and post-shift tasks, toil through meal periods, don and doff uniforms or safety gear, attend company meetings, and engage in work-related travel or phone calls. Furthermore, it is alleged that when calculating overtime pay rates, Insomniac conveniently omitted various forms of compensation, such as meal allowances and bonuses. The complaint asserts that time entries were manipulated to underreport hours actually worked, resulting in the improper payment of the regular rate instead of overtime pay. This tangled web allegedly also ensnared the minimum wage, with the company failing to pay it for all hours worked.
But that’s not all; the list of grievances goes on. The complaint contends that Insomniac failed to provide accurate wage statements, neglected to compensate employees for accrued paid time off and vacation time, and shirked responsibility for reimbursing the costs associated with using personal vehicles or purchasing uniforms and safety gear. Additionally, it alleges that Insomniac fell short in providing the legally mandated amount of paid sick leave and failed to disburse wages within the required time frame.
In response, King Johnson is not just seeking justice but also civil penalties. Insomniac, however, has a different tune to sing. When approached by Newsound, the company asserted that the case is based on inaccurate information. According to Insomniac, King Johnson was never an employee of theirs, and they had no involvement in his payroll, timekeeping, or any other management functions related to him. Instead, they contend that he worked for a third-party security company, and as a result, they are actively seeking to have the matter dismissed.
This legal battle adds to Live Nation’s recent courtroom woes, including the Astroworld tragedy and the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster controversy. Just last month, the company faced a lawsuit over a forklift injury suffered by a stagehand while setting up a stage for the Weeknd. Records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website also reveal fines and lawsuits against Live Nation related to various safety issues.
The California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004, under which King Johnson and his legal team are pursuing this case, gained prominence earlier this year when the California Supreme Court rejected a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could have weakened its impact. While the state’s attorney general argues that the law is crucial for protecting workers’ rights and enforcing labor protections, business groups contend that it imposes an undue burden on employers. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for labor rights and employer responsibilities in California and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wage theft lawsuit California
What is the lawsuit about?
The lawsuit revolves around allegations of wage theft and violations of California labor laws by Insomniac Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment. It accuses the company of failing to pay overtime wages, neglecting minimum wage requirements, and not providing meal breaks for its employees.
Who filed the lawsuit?
The lawsuit was filed by King Johnson, who worked as a security guard for Insomniac from around June 2021 to at least July 2022. King Johnson is taking legal action under the California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004, which allows aggrieved employees to sue employers for labor code violations on behalf of themselves and other affected employees.
What are the specific allegations in the lawsuit?
The allegations include Insomniac’s practice of requiring employees to remain on-call even when off the clock, perform pre-shift and post-shift tasks, work through meal periods, don and doff uniforms or safety gear, attend company meetings, and engage in work-related travel or phone calls. It is also alleged that the company manipulated time entries to underreport hours worked, resulting in improper payment of wages.
What is King Johnson seeking through this lawsuit?
King Johnson is seeking civil penalties and redress for the alleged labor law violations. The lawsuit aims to hold Insomniac accountable for its alleged misconduct.
How has Insomniac responded to the lawsuit?
Insomniac has denied the allegations and stated that King Johnson was never their employee. They claim he worked for a third-party security company and are actively seeking to have the matter dismissed.
What other legal issues has Live Nation Entertainment faced recently?
Live Nation Entertainment has been involved in other legal controversies, including the Astroworld tragedy and the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster dispute. They have also faced lawsuits related to safety issues, such as a recent case involving a stagehand’s forklift injury.
Why is the California Private Attorneys General Act significant in this case?
The California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 allows employees like King Johnson to take legal action against employers for labor code violations, acting on behalf of themselves and their fellow workers. The law’s impact and importance were highlighted when the California Supreme Court rejected a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could have weakened it. This case could have broader implications for labor rights and employer responsibilities in California and beyond.
More about wage theft lawsuit California
- Law.com Article on the Lawsuit
- California Private Attorneys General Act of 2004
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Records
- California Supreme Court Ruling on the Act
- Live Nation Entertainment
7 comments
Cali’s unique labor law at play. Big implications here.
Punctuation missing, some errors in da text. Gotta proofread!
Live Nation’s had a rough ride lately, more drama!
King Johnson fighting back! Insomniac denies it all.
live music giant under fire. cali labor laws broken.
lots of legalese & drama. impact on worker rights!
lawsuit is serious biz! worker rights impotant