Former Employee Claims Retail Store Takes Part in Questionable Practices
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Sep 14, 2011 at 6:14 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 15, 2011
Viviana Castaneda is a nineteen year old student and former employee of the store "Tate" at Mall del Norte.
She claims the owner, Elizabeth Morales, who also owns "Betty's Closet" not only expects her employees to perform in poor working conditions but also takes part in many questionable practices.
"We write down how many hours, from what time to what time we work. I usually work during the week from ten in the morning until 3 in the afternoon and I don't have any breaks. I can't go to the restroom and I can't sit down."
Castaneda claims Morales pays all of her employees cash, under the table and usually an amount far from what they are justly owed.
"She doesn't give us checks, she doesn't give us pay stubs, and there's no machine where we can clock in or clock out."
Just last week, Castenada was handed an envelope with much less than what she was supposed to be compensated.
"It has an envelope with my name and it has $14 inside when I worked 28 hours and I deserved to be paid 203 dollars and I only got paid $14."
These photos are of signs that say not to turn on the air. The most shocking claims Castaneda brings about are of fraud and an employee designated to help her in these practices.
"She makes her sew her own design and she cuts off the original designer's label ."
We spoke to the owner, Elizabeth Morales and she claims her employees are treated well and compensated fairly. She also says it's too bad if someone has complaints because she is very busy and doesn't have the time to individually keep up with every incident.
She refused to comment on camera and when asked if any of the claims were true, she told us she was not able to speak anymore.
The victim filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor and Wages, several complaints to mall officials and a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission.
"What I would want to happen, and I hope is going to happen, is that no one else works for her because no one deserves to be treated the way we've been treated."
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Bo Jangles said on Wednesday, Sep 21 at 11:14 PM
what? have the mall to get the owner out for selling fake stuff?? what a laugh..that will mean they will have to evict half of all their stores! haven't you noticed the knock-off sunglasses, belts, purses not to mention the fake perfumes with the "GOOCI" labels...haha..come on!! are you just blind or....
74167962This owner makes me sick said on Tuesday, Sep 20 at 1:24 PM
The mall should tell this sick lady, " You're fired"...selling goods that aren't. Gato por liebre.
74088372Louie Briouton XV said on Monday, Sep 19 at 4:18 PM
So how long was Virginia selling clothes that she knew were fake? Remember, she only reported it because her boss short changed her on her pay check. If she had been paid in full it would have been business as usual. Investigate them all!
74046028Tax Payer said on Monday, Sep 19 at 12:59 PM
Well I have to say that I applaud this girl Viviana for standing up to this bull and for doing what alot of people are afraid to do. Others would've turned their heads away people like this move the world it only takes one and sometimes it takes many tries by the same person, look at the Miranda rights and how they came about... one man. The Labor laws too many diferent single people, and she went to the right ones too, but she should've gone to the BBB also. now all that is left is for this agencies to prove this is true so she can sue this laddy and gwt some back pay. BRAVO LITTLE GIRL FOR BEING SO BRAVE AND STANDING UP FOR OTHERS WHO ARE AFRAID!!Laredo needs to learn from her.
74035038oh said on Friday, Sep 16 at 9:47 AM
the A.G. needs to get involved here laredo officials will do nothing,and pro8 can not follow up on this story cause it involves friends in high places. so call the A.G.and also report here to I.R.S
73912767gerry said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 9:57 PM
lets see how long laredo takes to get that underpaid girl justices dont hold your breathe
73894834Take a look at DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES... said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 3:59 PM
They should report on ALL the businesses that have similar practices.
73880573To: Mayor Salinas, said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 12:28 PM
Is this your version of Border security?? Do you know how all these stores are financed?? All those millions that you and your law enforcement agencies request are keeping our border safe? LOOK at this exploitation, This businesses are one of the causes for border insecurity, our youth is so frustrated with all these frauds made by our "society". young people who study and work at the same time are commendable, they sacrifice, they suffer, but this is one of the reasons they leave the school and looses faith in our government. SUPPORT THE KIDS, SUPPORT THE STUDENTS, THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. Stop hiding under the sand and stand up and raise your voice to stop this exploitation and keep our border safe of the root of our unsecurity.
73868509Agree said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 12:26 PM
I agree with the young girl, I have bought clothing in Betty's Closet and they will not refund your money, the store is so hot and if you ask to speak to the Manager, she is never available. I noticed the clothing does not have a price and when you ask, they look it up on a page with numbers. The Mall management needs to do something about it.
73868354To KGNS said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 11:40 AM
Mr. Gutierre... Thank you for supporting our students and our young people. please keep reporting in this issue. This type of abuses hurt our society to the core. Thank you Again. Gato Bonito.
73865056TO : Mall officials said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 11:30 AM
It is your duty and responsability to investigate and call the U. S. Customs if there is piracy in your stores. Consumers BEWARE !! it is a common practice in other cities's malls to sell "high end" items with pirate labes. The U.S. Customs are always investigating and arresting the owners of this "stores" who are dedicated pirates defrauding the consumers.
73864386X-Laredo Onda said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 11:27 AM
Get the Texas AG involved. It worked so far against the furniture chick. Cleaning up Laredo one tu*d at a time.
73864158Money laundering said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 10:59 AM
This is an example of money laundering in the border areas. The Law enforcement agencies need to get involved to trace the money and how that store is financed.
73862407Atta girl!! said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 10:38 AM
A great big salute to Viviana for filing official complaints with the appropriate agencies. This KGNS video should also be sent to IRS, as commented earlier. Sorry you had pay hard cash for such a lesson about greed. Maybe you can try small claims court for that particular week's lost wages.
73861039scam said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 9:25 AM
Good job on the reporting...more people should come foward and report these owners.
73856491right said on Thursday, Sep 15 at 7:44 AM
this is laredo she will get away with it. whats needs to happen here is that this lady needs to get sued!!!
73850293Typical for Laredo said on Wednesday, Sep 14 at 11:39 PM
The IRS needs to get involved and the U.S. customs need to investigate the piracy. cutting the original labels is a federal offence.
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