Three former employees have filed a federal lawsuit against Richardson Media Group, Inc. (RMG), Magic Valley Publishing Company, and owner Daniel Richardson, alleging widespread violations of federal labor law.
Their attorney filed the complaint on September 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.
The document accuses the Camden-based media company of misclassifying employees and failing to pay proper wages and overtime in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Plaintiffs and Claims
The plaintiffs include Shannon Taylor Merrell, a former editor, and former staff writers Casey Beckett and Sabrina Bates.
They brought the suit individually and on behalf of other current and former employees they claim were subjected to the same pay practices.
According to the complaint, the three “regularly worked in excess of 40 hours a week but were not paid an overtime premium for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week and were not paid for all of the hours they worked.”
The filing also states that employees were “required to work off the clock on a regular basis and/or were compensated improperly for overtime work in violation of the FLSA.”
The lawsuit contends that these practices were deliberate and ongoing for at least three years.
“Defendants have for more than 3 years, willingly, deliberately and intentionally refused to pay Named Plaintiffs and Plaintiff class members for time actually worked, and for time and one-half pay for overtime worked,” the complaint reads.
The plaintiffs are seeking back pay, unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorney’s fees, and an injunction to stop what they describe as “willful and knowing violations” of federal law.
Defendant(s)
Richardson Media Group and Magic Valley Publishing operate a network of community newspapers in West Tennessee, including the Dresden Enterprise, Martin Post, Jackson Post, Camden Chronicle, Carroll County News-Leader and others.
Daniel Richardson is named personally as a defendant, as he is identified as the owner and manager responsible for directing employees’ work and pay.
Court Proceedings
The case is classified as a collective action, meaning other employees may opt into the lawsuit.
The complaint says, “similarly situated employees are known to Defendants, are readily identifiable by Defendants, and can be located through Defendants’ records,” and requests the court to allow notice to be sent so additional employees may join the case.
The court has issued summonses to Richardson, Richardson Media Group, and Magic Valley Publishing, each served at their Camden business addresses.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Michael L. Weinman of Jackson. A jury trial has been demanded.
