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CLF leader Lorena Gonzalez. (Photo: Kevin Sanders for California Globe)

Intentional Theft of Wages May be Punished as Grand Theft Under CA Penal Code

AB 1003 says ‘theft of wages’ includes any violation of the law that results in an employee being deprived of wages

By Chris Micheli, March 9, 2021 2:30 am

Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez introduced her Assembly Bill 1003 to make certain wage theft a crime. The bill would add Section 487m to the Penal Code.

The bill would specify that the intentional theft of wages may be punished as grand theft under the Penal Code. Wage theft would have to be in an amount greater than $950 in the aggregate that is stolen by an employer from one or more employees. “Theft of wages” is defined as any violation of the law that results in an employee being deprive of wages, benefits or other compensation due to an employee.

In addition, the bill would specify that any act punished cannot be punished under any other criminal provision. Moreover, wages, benefits, or other compensation may be recovered in a civil action by the employee or the Labor Commissioner. The bill is likely to be heard in its first policy committee in March.

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2 thoughts on “Intentional Theft of Wages May be Punished as Grand Theft Under CA Penal Code

    1. Exactly! That’s what I was thinking too.
      I wonder how much Lorena “AB5 The Job Killer” Gonzalez would be on the hook for if her new bill became law. Not sure even her stalwart union buddies would be good for it.

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