Sacramento taco restaurant ordered to pay $180K after it failed to pay overtime rates

(FOX40.COM) — A Sacramento restaurant was ordered to pay over $180,000 after it failed to pay appropriate overtime, the U.S. Department of Labor said.

According to the DoL, Taqueria Los Inmortales was ordered to pay $90,383 in unpaid overtime and $90,383 in liquidated damages to 22 employees.

The Department of Labor said the employer paid employees for their overtime hours but at regular rates in cash and didn’t keep accurate records.

 “Restaurant workers, who are often some of the lowest earners in our communities, deserve to take home every dollar they earn,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Cesar Avila said. “The U.S. Department of Labor is determined to help restaurant employers and workers understand their obligations and rights under the law. We offer free compliance assistance toolkits and other resources that can help them avoid costly violations like those found in this case.”

The employer, which operates three Taqueria Los Inmortales in the Sacramento area, was also fined $7,980 for what the department said were “willful violations.”