When I was sworn into office nearly one year ago, humbled by the trust District residents placed in me to represent and advocate for them, I pledged to use the law to combat persistent equity gaps, defend and strengthen the fundamental rights of all who live and work here, ensure that our children live healthy, hopeful lives, and work every day towards a stronger, safer community. I am very proud of the hard work that the talented professionals at the Office of Attorney General have performed over the past year and of the meaningful and impactful results we’ve delivered for District residents across all eight Wards.

At the Office of Attorney General (OAG), we use the law to preserve and advocate for affordable housing, protect tenants, and hold abusive and neglectful landlords accountable. This month, we announced our lawsuit against RealPage, a Texas-based technology firm that offers various technology-based services to real estate owners and property managers, and 14 of the District’s largest landlords for colluding to inflate rent prices in rental buildings across our city. 

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) successfully resolved three investigations into employers suspected of violating the District’s ban on non-compete agreements. Under the terms of separate settlement agreements, a healthcare staffing firm and a ping pong social club will collectively pay more than $150,000 to workers and the District, and both businesses, along with a food service company, will be required to change their policies to ensure compliance with the District’s ban on non-compete agreements, which went into effect on October 1, 2022. 

All District residents have the right to enjoy the natural treasures of our great city while living in safe and healthy neighborhoods. OAG will continue to work hard, everyday, to ensure that the law protects that right for everyone.

Attorney General Schwalb today announced that 20/20 Vision, a District-based economic policy research and advocacy firm, will pay over $168,000 in restitution to 21 current and former employees and in penalties to the District as part of a wage theft settlement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Ultimate Performance Fitness (UP Fitness), a personal training company, will pay $450,000 to trainers and the District to resolve allegations that the company failed to pay wages owed to trainers and improperly used a commission payment structure. Under the terms of a settlement agreement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), UP Fitness will be required to pay $254,190 to over 30 personal trainers who were not compensated for required work time and who were routinely deprived of overtime wages. The company will also be required to pay a penalty of $195,809 to the District, cease its improper use of a commission payment structure for trainers, and ensure that employees receive overtime wages for any hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that two companies – cleaning business Commercial Real Estate Consulting Group and drywall contractor T&A Construction – will cumulatively pay more than $193,000 to misclassified DC workers who were deprived of wages and benefits. As part of separate settlements that resolve allegations that these companies failed to comply with the District’s wage and hour laws, the companies will also pay more than $145,000 in civil penalties to the District and will correct their practices to ensure compliance with District law moving forward.

At the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG), we’re committed to protecting the rights of District workers and ensuring that businesses compete on a level playing field.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (Chipotle) will pay the District $322,400 and adopt a new, comprehensive training and workplace compliance plan to resolve allegations of District child labor law violations, including hundreds of instances in which Chipotle failed to abide by legal caps on the number of hours minors are allowed to work. Chipotle operates 20 fast-casual restaurants in the District.

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced a lawsuit against Swahili Village M Street, LLC (Swahili Village DC) and its executive officers, Kevin Onyona and Emad Shoeb, for systematically stealing wages and tips from its servers, hosts, food runners, bussers, and bartenders. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) alleges, after a lengthy pre-suit investigation, that the defendants engaged in egregious wage theft, paid many workers far less than minimum wage (frequently paying servers as little as $5 per hour, including both wages and tips), failed to pay overtime wages, failed to distribute tips, and failed to provide legally required paid sick leave. In its complaint, OAG details a years-long pattern of wage theft and worker abuse. In addition to injunctive relief, the lawsuit seeks to recover wages owed to restaurant workers, and to impose penalties for legal violations.