A federal judge in Tulsa overturned a jury verdict yesterday ruling that El Tequila LLC and owner Carlos Aguirre willfully violated the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. El Tequila and Aguirre must pay $2.1 million in back wages and liquidated damages to over 300 vulnerable workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s case was so strong that before the trial the court, ruling on summary judgment, found that El Tequila and Aguirre had violated the FLSA’s minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions. The court also granted the Secretary’s summary judgment motion with respect to his calculation of damages and the application of liquidated damages, and enjoined the employer from committing future violations of the FLSA.
Analysis: Republican David McLain and Democrat J.J. Dossett will compete for a vacancy created by the resignation of Republican Rick Brinkley Tuesday in Oklahoma Senate District 34 which includes most of north Tulsa County, Skiatook, Owasso, Collinsville and a small portion of Rogers County. It is the first of many elections this year.