US Labor Dept. Recoups $157K for 46 Underpaid Rio Grande Workers

Employer name: LJ2 Investments LLC, operating as Jasso Express

Investigation site: 805 E. Ferguson Ave.

Pharr, TX 78577

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found LJ2 Investments LLC – operator of Jasso Express food trucks – failed to pay the required time and one-half the hourly wages of 46 catering service workers for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Additionally, the employer failed to keep records, in violation of federal law.

Back wages recovered: $78,664 in back wages

$78,664 in liquidated damages

In fiscal year 2023, the division recovered more than $29 million owed to nearly 26,000 food service industry workers. Food service is among the division’s low-wage, high violation industries with the third highest amount of back wages recovered and the second highest amount of civil money penalties assessed.

Quote: “Federal law is very clear about paying overtime and leaves no excuse for an employer to deprive workers of their lawfully earned wages,” said District Director Cynthia Cantu-Flores in McAllen, Texas. “The U.S. Department of Labor remains committed to protecting our nation’s workers and holding employers accountable.”

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