Sanford Heisler Sharp Files Complaint For Racketeering, Wage & Hour Violations, And Other Claims Against GA Telesis & CEO Abdol Moabery

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A national team of employment attorneys filed suit this week against Fort Lauderdale-based GA Telesis and its high-profile President and CEO Abdol Moabery in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The Complaint on behalf of Yang Zhang details federal and state RICO violations, wage and hour violations, and other violations of state and federal law by both the company and Moabery.

Ms. Zhang has been employed as a GA Telesis executive for more than three years but has never been paid for her work.

She is represented in the lawsuit by former federal judge Kevin H. Sharp, managing partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp's Nashville office; Andrew Melzer, a partner in the firm's New York City office; Qiaojing Zheng, an associate in the firm's San Francisco office; and, Brian J. Stack, a partner in the Miami office of Stack Fernandez & Harris, P.A.

"Ms. Zhang took an executive position at GA Telesis and certainly expected to be paid for her work," said Sharp. "She has not received any salary nor any of the employment benefits she was promised, despite Defendants' continued promises and representations. She has been strung along for three years and now it is time for the company to pay up."

The complaint filed on Monday alleges that GA Telesis fraudulently induced Zhang to be GAIC's Managing Director without any intention of ever paying her. The company entered into an employment agreement with her in August 2014, promising an annual base salary of $225,000 plus bonuses of up to 50% of that amount as well as executive-level health and insurance benefits in exchange for her work as Managing Director.  Zhang upheld her part of the agreement, including accepting a second role as acting General Manager of GAIC in February 2015, but the company and Moabery have not. 

"The company has dodged Ms. Zhang's demands for payment for her work, while falsely continuing to represent orally and in writing that she would be paid," said Melzer.  "It is evident from Defendants' behavior that the sole purpose from the beginning was to cheat her of the fruits of her labor and string her along with misleading, false promises and assurances."

GA Telesis is one of the world's largest commercial aerospace firms with over $1.0 billion in assets under management. The company's website claims it is "at the forefront of the aviation market, distinctly positioned to offer cutting edge products and services that meet growing industry demands." GAIC is a joint venture between GA Telesis and Air China.

"As an executive member of GA Telesis, Zhang spearheaded the company's footprint in the Chinese market, helped the team navigate through the system, and gained millions of dollars of profits for the Company," said Zheng. "Yet, she was left empty-handed when it was time for company to hold up its end of the bargain. It's disappointing to see a major player in the aerospace field treat anyone, much less a valued employee, illegally and with total disrespect."  

The complaint also details statutory and common law claims against GA Telesis including, but not limited to, claims under The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ("RICO"); minimum wage and overtime claims under The Fair Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"); Florida RICO and wage and hour claims; an unfair competition claim under the Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act ("FDUTPA"); and, common law contract and fraud claims.  Plaintiff also pursues federal and state RICO claims against Moabery.

Plaintiff Zhang seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, treble damages under federal and state law, and exemplary and punitive damages to deter the company's future conduct. In addition, Zhang asks for legal costs and expenses, pre- and post-judgment interest, and other equitable relief.

A jury trial is requested.

About Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP is a public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C, Nashville, San Francisco and San Diego.  Our attorneys have graduated from the nation's top law schools, clerked for judges throughout the United States, and amassed extensive experience litigating and trying cases that have earned over one billion dollars for our clients.

The Firm specializes in civil rights and general public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with employment discrimination, labor and wage violations, predatory lending, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and other claims. Along with a focus on class actions, the firm also represents individuals and has achieved particular success in the representation of executives and attorneys in employment disputes. For more information go to http://www.sanfordheisler.com/ or call 202 499-5200 or email [email protected]. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @sanfordheisler

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SOURCE Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP