Eureka Natural Foods settles class and PAGA lawsuit filed in 2023 for labor code violations

 

In 2016, I wrote about Eureka Natural Foods owner Rick Littlefield who got SWAP and probation for his 5th DUI. Of course,no one else covered that and Rick has expressed his displeasure to me in person, angrily at the courthouse and walked away when he could not intimidate me. He isn't the only good ole Humboldt boy or gal who has done that from the local left or right. 

I have reported on similar lawsuits about other local businesses, again not reported by other media but this is the first case I covered where PAGA was mentioned. On 7/22, I saw a calendar listing for a 2023 case filed by Connie Parks vs Northwest Investment Co. with Eureka Natural Foods also listed as defendant.

There was a hearing on the motion for preliminary approval of class and PAGA settlement. The motion was granted by Retired Judge John Feeney who was covering the calendar that day for Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning. A status conference and receipt of motion for final approval is scheduled for 12/6/24.

Mr. Patrik Griego of Janssen and Malloy represented Littlefield. Ms. Megan Yarnall and Mr. Frank Martin from the same firm are representing ENF and defendants. Connie Parks is represented by Zakay Law Group APLC which is in San Diego. 

According to the California Labor Wokforce Development Agency, "The Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) authorizes aggrieved employees to file lawsuits to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for Labor Code violations."

12/6/24: Read the court minutes. There is no longer a need for me to keep checking on the case and with my schedule getting busier each day, I am not checking on the 12/15 review hearing for compliance.