A lawsuit has been filed against Learning Care Group, Inc. and Everbrook Academy, LLC, alleging labor law violations affecting employees. On October 31, Aamaityah Vaughan and Gladys Taveras filed a complaint, claiming the companies failed to provide timely wages and retaliated against whistleblowers.
The complaint stems from Vaughan's and Taveras's employment at Everbrook Academy in Glen Head, New York, where Vaughan served as a head teacher from August to October 2022 and Taveras as an assistant teacher from June to November 2022. The plaintiffs allege they were required to perform manual labor for over 25% of their duties but were paid bi-weekly instead of weekly, in violation of New York Labor Law (NYLL) § 191(1)(a). They also claim that their wage statements omitted information such as hours worked and pay rates, allegedly violating NYLL § 195(3).
Additionally, the plaintiffs accuse the companies of retaliatory actions under NYLL § 740, asserting that their employment was terminated shortly after they reported safety concerns for children to both the management and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The lawsuit seeks class-action status for manual workers employed by the defendants in New York since March 2018.
Vaughan and Taveras seek relief, including liquidated damages for late wage payments, compensatory and punitive damages for retaliation under NYLL § 740, statutory penalties for inaccurate wage statements up to $5,000 per person, and attorneys’ fees and costs. They also request injunctive relief to prevent further unlawful practices by the defendants.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Lauren R. Reznick and Michael J. Borrelli from Borrelli & Associates P.L.L.C., located in Garden City, New York. The case has been filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under case ID: 24-cv-7634.