On November 21, 2024, Katrina S. Hagen signed a Decision of the Director of Industrial Relations that determined less than $10,000 in unpaid prevailing wages was owed by SMTD’s client and reduced the penalty rate against it from $200 per day per worker to the statutory minimum. This result followed five days of hearing on the merits where attorney Jeff Hook defended SMTD’s contractor client against a Notice of Withholding of Contract Payments that assessed $469,312.49 in unpaid wages/training funds and $433,970.00 in penalties. After cross-examinations of the Labor Compliance Officer and six former workers that testified on behalf of the Enforcing Agency, followed by the presentation of the Contractors’ witnesses and evidence, the 47-page decision determined only two percent of total assessed wages was owed.
