San Diego – The Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) has successfully recovered a total of $431,601 in unpaid wages and damages for 86 carpenters employed by Howood Company Inc. on construction projects across San Diego and San Bernardino Counties.

In December 2023, the LCO, which is part of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), issued citations against Howood Company, the general contractor, as well as two other companies—Wermers Multi-Family Corporation and JPI California Construction, LLC—after uncovering multiple labor violations. These included failures to pay minimum wages, overtime, and other violations.

The investigation by the LCO was triggered by complaints filed by the Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee, Inc., a labor-management organization that works within the construction industry. The committee had reported that several workers had not received the wages they were owed. In addition, wage theft complaints were filed against Howood regarding two other construction projects. Following a thorough investigation into these complaints, the LCO issued citations for labor violations on all three projects and filed a mechanic’s lien to recover the unpaid wages for the workers involved.

Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower stated‍

“This enforcement outcome demonstrates our commitment to utilizing every available tool to ensure that workers get paid. Mechanic’s liens are a powerful tool, and in this case, allowed us to recover the earned wages owed to workers. Early detection is key to utilizing mechanic’s liens. Industry leaders like Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee, Inc., are instrumental in exposing cases that would otherwise go undetected.”

The LCO has the authority to file enforcement liens on real property to secure amounts owed following final citations, findings, or decisions. Mechanic’s liens serve as an alternative to judgment liens and must contain specific information to be recorded on the relevant party’s real property. A certificate of release is issued once the outstanding amount, including interest and costs, has been paid.

The LCO’s investigation revealed that Howood Company had failed to pay workers for several weeks of labor at various construction sites, including:

• 1600 Orange Ave, Redlands, CA 92373
• 4354-4364 Twain Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
• 1509-1521 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101

About the Labor Commissioner’s Office

‍The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), also known as the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, is dedicated to fighting wage theft and unfair competition. The department investigates complaints about illegal and unfair business practices to ensure that workers are compensated fairly.

In 2020, the LCO launched the “Reaching Every Californian” outreach campaign, which amplifies awareness of worker protections and legal obligations. This initiative helps ensure that both workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities, while also emphasizing the enforcement procedures of the Labor Commissioner’s Office.

Workers seeking more information on labor laws or who have questions about wage theft can contact the LCO at

‍1-833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636), Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For additional information on wage theft and available resources, employers and employees can visit wagetheftisacrime.com.

Originally reported by DIR. California.