FORT MYERS — A man filed a class-action lawsuit against Gulf Coast Power and Light Co. claiming it violated the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act.
Edelio R. Espinosa has filed a collective action against Gulf Coast Power Co. under the FLSA on behalf of himself and similarly situated employees, according to a complaint filed Nov. 15 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Espinosa claims he was employed as a non-exempt, full-time, hourly electrician helper from July 17 to Oct. 6 and alleges that despite working irregular hours and clocking more than 40 hours weekly, he was not properly compensated for overtime.
The plaintiff alleges the employer willfully violated FLSA provisions, including failing to pay overtime wages and inaccurately documenting work hours on paystubs.
"Defendant knew and showed reckless disregard of the provisions for the Act concerning the payment of overtime wages as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act and remained owing plaintiff and those similarly situated these overtime wages since the commencement of plaintiff's employment with defendant as set forth above," the complaint states.
Espinosa also claims he was wrongfully terminated for discriminatory reasons in October.
Espinosa is seeking unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages and other relief. He is being represented by Zandro E. Palma of the Palma Law Group in Miami.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida case number: 2:23-cv-01044