BCBG has reached a $1.4 Million settlement in a class
action lawsuit settlement over allegations it violated California wage and
hours laws in a case filed in 2009 after a successful mediation led by Richard E. Quintilone II Esq (req@quintlaw.com) and a team of other lawyers from multiple firms. Initial Plaintiff
Christopher Morales was an employee of Defendants BCBG Max Azria Group, Inc.,
at its retail store in Palm Springs, California. Plaintiff Morales has named
BCBG MAXAZRIA INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC., BCBG MAX AZRIA GROUP, INC., and
BCBG MAXAZRIA HOLDINGS, INC. as Defendants in this matter. The case has been
filed in Orange County Superior Court (Case No. 30-2009-00248352). Plaintiff
Christopher Morales (“Morales”) seeks to bring this lawsuit on behalf of
himself and current and former hourly employees employed by BCBG in California
between February 27, 2005 and the present.
Plaintiff Trang was an employee of Max Rave,
LLC in Alameda County. Plaintiff Trang has named MAX RAVE, LLC and BCBG MAX
AZRIA GROUP, INC. as Defendants in this matter. The case has been filed in
Alameda County Superior Court (Case No. RG09439048).). Plaintiff Quynh Trang
(“Trang”) seeks to bring this lawsuit on behalf of herself and current and
former hourly employees employed by Max Rave in California between March 3,
2005 and the present.
On May
29, 2009, the Chief Justice of California and Chair of the Judicial
Council, ordered that the cases be coordinated into the BCBG WAGE AND HOUR
CASES. The Karsaz action was consolidated with the In re BCBG Cases at the
September 15, 2010.
Plaintiffs alleged that they and putative
class members are non-exempt employees who were denied compliant meal and rest
breaks or payment of penalty premiums for non- compliant breaks, overtime and
minimum wages, wages upon termination or resignation, itemized employee wage
statements and business expense reimbursements.
On Thursday,
January 24, 2013, the Orange County Superior Court granted final approval
of the class action settlement of $1.4 Million Dollars. The request for civil
penalties under PAGA in the amount of $5,000 was granted. The court awarded
plaintiffs and class representatives Christopher Morales, Quynh Trang, Farahnaz
Karsaz, and Ronique Lewis a service award in the case.
