Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer’s office has filed a civil enforcement lawsuit against Silver Lake Car Wash, Inc. alleging the business routinely violated workers’ rights by failing to pay minimum wage and overtime, pay for all hours worked and provide required breaks.

The lawsuit is the result of a collaboration among the City Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Industrial Relations and Community Labor Environmental Action Network, a nonprofit community organization that advocates for the rights of low-wage workers in the Los Angeles area. Silver Lake Car Wash is located at 3595 Beverly Blvd.

“Stealing wages from hard-working men and women, as we allege here, is reprehensible,” Feuer said. “No employer should deny workers their basic rights to a minimum wage and overtime. Whether it’s truckers at the port, home healthcare workers or car wash employees, my office will fight aggressively to protect workers’ rights and ensure all workers are paid what the law demands.”

Silver Lake Car Wash allegedly employs approximately 20 individuals at a time who work between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. The lawsuit alleges that workers were paid as little as $6.50 per hour and not paid overtime. On days the car wash facility shut down early, employees were allegedly not paid anything if they worked less than five hours.

The lawsuit further alleges that Silver Lake Car Wash falsified payroll records to underreport employee work hours and lessen their pay. The company also allegedly failed to give rest or meal breaks, and did not provide proper safety equipment, forcing some workers to buy their own gloves and boots.

“Unfortunately, some employers choose to violate the rights of workers,” said Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District. “I commend the city attorney for stepping in, taking action and sending a message that anything less than a minimum wage is unacceptable.”

The City Attorney’s Office is also seeking an injunction prohibiting Silver Lake Car Wash from continuing to engage in illegal employment practices as well as restitution on behalf of current and former employees who have been underpaid within the last four years. The car wash could also be assessed civil penalties up to $2,500 for each violation, plus costs for the investigation.

Feuer asks other workers who may be victims of wage theft to report it to his office by calling (213)978-1868 or e-mailing mike.n.feuer@lacity.org. Reports may be made anonymously.