MIAMI – A former loan officer for a Miami-Dade County lending company alleges he was terminated for his complaints about not receiving any pay.
Jesus Gabriel Gella filed a complaint individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated on March 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against American Financial Freedom LLC, doing business as Globelend Capital; Alexander Roshko; and Oliver Salmeron citing the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Florida Whistleblower's Act, invasion of privacy and breach of contract.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he worked for Globelend from December 2014 to October 2016 and worked between 65 to 70 hours per week. He alleges he was not paid for several weeks and was terminated in retaliation for his complaints about not being paid. He also alleges he was terminated for threatening to report the defendants for what he believed to be illegal altering of financial information on clients' loan applications.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendants, enjoinder from further violation, unpaid wages, liquidated damages, unpaid commissions, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses, and further relief that the court may deem just. He is represented by Santiago J. Padilla of Fowler Rodriguez LLP in Coral Gables.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 1:17-cv-21068