San Mateo County to add deputy district attorney and investigator to tackle wage theft cases
San Mateo County, California – In a major effort to stop wage theft, San Mateo County has obtained a state grant of about $740,000 meant to improve the local government’s capacity to pursue companies who neglect to pay their employees appropriately. Approved on August 27, 2024, this financial increase by the Board of Supervisors is expected to support a strong campaign to guard workers against being shortchanged.
With the money, the District Attorney’s Office will be able to add important personnel—a new deputy district attorney and an investigator assigned to these cases among others. Furthermore, it will offer required tools for forensic audits, which will help to break out the sometimes complex specifics of pay theft events.
District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe thanked the supporters and underlined the significance of this project.
“The approval by the Board of Supervisors of the D.A.’s Office Wage Theft Program will enable my office to investigate and prosecute employers who steal their employees hard earned wages,” he stated.
The county also intends to create the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement in response to the ongoing wage theft issue that disproportionately impacts low-income earners, women, minorities, non-English speakers, and immigrant workers. With an eye toward preventing future infractions, this new agency will not just concentrate on punishing cases but also on teaching employers and staff members about their rights.
Supervisors Ray Mueller and Dave Pine led the office project since they understood the urgent need for more organized efforts in this field.
“We are very grateful to District Attorney Wagstaffe, Deputy District Attorney Jill Nerone and the District Attorney’s Office for prioritizing the investigation and prosecution of these cases, bringing justice to those victimized by wage theft, and ultimately deterring others from abusing vulnerable workers in this manner,” Supervisor Ray Mueller said.
This battle against wage fraud will be much aided by the proposed Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement, a cooperative effort combining the County Executive’s Office, the County Attorney’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office. It guarantees a more methodical way to handle and fix problems including unpaid wages, inadequate compensation below the minimum wage, absence of sick leave or overtime pay, and illegal pay deduction from paychecks.
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With this new funding, the county emphasizes its dedication to protect the rights and livelihoods of its employees, thus guaranteeing that justice is done for victims of wage theft and so preventing future workplace abuse.
