VENTURA, Calif. (CN) - After working 12 years without missing a day or taking a vacation, a mechanic says Japanese Car Specialties fired him when he asked for leave time to recover from a workplace accident. Sotero Lopez also says the defendant didn't have workers' comp insurance, cheats on overtime, and that most of his co-workers were illegal.
Lopez demands punitive damages for wrongful firing. He also claims his bosses cheat on overtime and that "the vast majority, if not all" of his co-workers are undocumented workers, who are afraid to demand their legal rights.
Lopez also sued his former boss, Antony Leek.
Lopez is represented by Kim Scovis in Ventura County Court.
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