Judge: Stephen I. Goorvitch, Case: 20STCV47565, Date: 2023-08-14 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 20STCV47565    Hearing Date: August 14, 2023    Dept: 39

Robert Scheff v. The Hartford Gold Group

Case No. 20STCV47565

Motion for Preliminary Approval of Settlement

            Plaintiff Robert Scheff (“Plaintiff”) filed this action against Defendant the Hartford Gold Group, LLC (“Defendant”) for wage and hour violations.  Plaintiff filed a complaint on December 11, 2020, asserting a single cause of action: Enforcement under the Private Attorneys General Act, California Labor Code sections 2698, et seq. (“PAGA”).  Then, Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint on November 4, 2022, asserting individual and class action claims, as well as the PAGA claim.  Now, the parties seek final approval of the settlement.  The total settlement amount is $550,000.  The parties propose to divide the proceeds as follows: 

Settlement of Plaintiff’s individual claims:               $400,000

Settlement of PAGA claims:                                      $10,000

Settlement of class action claims:                              $140,000

There is no objection from the State of California. 

            The Court approves the settlement.  The Court orders that the settlement of the PAGA claims shall be divided as follows: (a) $7,500 shall be paid to the Labor & Workforce Development Agency; and (b) $2,500 shall be divided amongst the class members.  With respect to the settlement of the class action claims ($140,000), the Court orders the following division: 

            Costs:                                                  $9,552.45

            Attorney’s fees:                                  $49,000

            Incentive payments:                           $0

            Payments to class members:              $81,447.55

The Court orders Defendant make payment within thirty (30) days.  The Court continues the Order to Show Cause re: Dismissal (Settlement) to October 5, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.  Plaintiff’s counsel shall provide notice and file proof of such with the Court.