New York, NY: Dualstar Entertainment Group LLC, an entertainment company owned by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, is facing a potential employment class action lawsuit alleging former and current workers were misclassified as interns.
Filed in New York state court, the lawsuit claims the Olen Twin' entertainment company violated New York labor law by making at least 40 workers run personal errands for paid employees, making photocopies and sewing for approximately 50 hours a week without receiving any pay. According to the complaint, the company misclassified workers as interns as far back as 2009.
Filed by Shahista Lalani, the lawsuit states: "Dualstar has derived a significant benefit from the work performed by the named plaintiff and other members of the putative class. Upon information and belief, Dualstar would have hired additional employees or required existing staff to work additional hours had the named plaintiff and other members of the putative class not performed work for Dualstar."
The plaintiffs also state that they had to input data into spreadsheets, make tech sheets, perform cleaning duties and cut patterns without receiving payment from Dualstar. The Row, an apparel company that is part of Dualstar, sells clothing, eyewear and handbags that feature "fine fabrics and the perfect fit,"according to its website, which advertises opportunities for internships.
Representing Lalani is Lloyd R. Ambinder of Virginia & Ambinder LLP and Jeffrey K. Brown, Michael A. Tompkins and Brett R. Cohen of Leeds Brown Law PC. The case is Lalani et al. v. Dualstar Entertainment Group LLC et al., case number 158205/2015, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York.
