On February 26, 2025, California’s Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) announced it recovered over $430,000 in unpaid wages for 86 carpenters who worked on construction projects in San Diego and San Bernardino counties.
The workers were hired by Howood Company, Inc. and others, but were not paid the minimum wage, overtime, or other wages they earned. After receiving complaints from the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee, the LCO investigated and issued citations in December 2023.
To make sure workers got paid, the LCO used a special tool called a mechanic’s lien, which allows the state to claim money from the property where the workers performed their jobs. This helped secure the unpaid wages faster than waiting for a court judgment.
Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower said, “This shows we will use every tool we have to make sure workers get the money they earned.” She also thanked industry groups like the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee for helping uncover wage theft.
The unpaid wages were tied to three project sites:
1600 Orange Ave, Redlands, CA
4354-4364 Twain Ave, San Diego, CA
1509-1521 Broadway, San Diego, CA