California · Labor Code
LAB §1197.2: (a) In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, an employer who willfully fails to pay and has the ability to pay a final court judgment or final order issued by the Labor Commissioner for all wa
What this law says, in plain English
An employer who willfully fails to pay a final court judgment or Labor Commissioner order for wages owed to a discharged or recently quit employee commits a misdemeanor, with penalties including fines and jail time up to one year depending on the total wages owed.
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