hotelFARGO, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing a Fargo-based hotel owner for allegedly failing to pay minimum wage and overtime rates in North Dakota and Montana.

The complaint says that Bharat “Brian” Patel owes about $100,000 in back wages and $100,000 in damages to front-desk clerks, housekeeping staff and other hotel employees. The case involves 193 workers at 13 hotels.

Authorities say Patel incorrectly classified some workers as exempt salaried employees. Hourly employees allegedly received straight-time pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek and were not paid the legally required time and one-half.   Patel has hotels in Fargo, Jamestown, Dickinson, Valley City, Wahpeton and Glendive, Montana.

The hotels involved included Econo Lodge East, Econo Lodge West, Fargo Quality Inn, Super 8 Fargo and Quality Suites, in Fargo; Hampton Inn and Suites, in Jamestown; Travel Inn, Super 8 Motel and Travel Host Motel, which operates as the Relax Inn, in Dickinson; Super 8, in Valley City; Rodeway Inn, in Wahpeton; and the Super 8 Glendive and Comfort Inn Glendive, in Montana. Patel’s company has headquarters in Fargo.

Court documents do not list an attorney for Patel, who could not be reached for comment.

Information on the Fair Labor Standards Act…

http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/index.htm