On August 3, 2026, the San Diego news outlet inewsource reported that California's Labor Commissioner issued about $2 million in wage judgments against Wealthplus Management Group, LLC, a San Diego County care home operator. That is one of the largest amounts in the county.
The workers were live-in caregivers at senior homes in Poway, Vista, and Escondido. Many are Filipino immigrants. One caregiver, Paul Serrato, said he worked 20-hour days, six days a week. He slept on a couch in the living room. He said he was paid a flat rate for the day instead of an hourly wage for all hours worked. The state found wage theft from 2019 through 2022.
At least seven caregivers are owed six figures each. Serrato was awarded nearly $170,000. Another caregiver, John Polistico, was awarded $224,000. But years later, most of that money has not been paid. This case raises more than one issue — unpaid minimum wage, unpaid overtime, and whether an owner can hide behind other companies. This post is about the minimum wage pay rule.
In California, the minimum wage set by the state or by any applicable local law is the floor. Paying less than that floor is against the law. (Lab. Code § 1197.) And agreeing to work for less does not make it legal. Even if you took a flat daily rate, if you were paid less than the equivalent of an hourly minimum wage or less than the additional overtime you were owed, you can sue for the unpaid balance, plus interest, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs of suit. (Lab. Code § 1194(a).)
Sources:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=1197
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=1194.