Wage and hour cases in Santa Cruz County at a glance
Employers in Santa Cruz County account for 103 concluded Wage and Hour Division investigations since 2004, 74 of which found violations (72%). Employers agreed to pay $921,921 in back wages to 603 workers, and $798,228 in civil money penalties was assessed. In the last 12 months 0 cases closed with $0 in back wages. The industries with the most back wages here are Construction ($318,753), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting ($194,807), Health Care and Social Assistance ($190,372).
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103 cases, page 1 of 2.
| Employer | City | Case closed | Findings | Back wages | Workers paid | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Cruz The Regents of the University of California | Santa Cruz | Jul 2, 2025 | 2 violations | $1,400 | 1 | 0 |
| Sushi Totoro Varpero Premium Foods, LLC | Santa Cruz | Mar 1, 2025 | 1 violation | $5,086 | 1 | 0 |
| Phillips 66 SEI 38009 | Watsonville | Nov 13, 2024 | 10 violations repeat | $11,798 | 9 | $6,336 |
| Pono Hawaiian Grill, LLC | Santa Cruz | Oct 27, 2024 | 73 violations | $50,973 | 72 | 0 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | Watsonville | Sep 1, 2024 | 39 violations | $18,840 | 13 | $7,148 |
| City of Watsonville | Watsonville | Mar 6, 2024 | 1 violation | $32,500 | 1 | 0 |
| Poppy Hill Home | Watsonville | Mar 4, 2024 | 5 violations | $30,399 | 2 | 0 |
| Aptos Country Home | Watsonville | Mar 4, 2024 | 6 violations | $19,735 | 3 | 0 |
| Glez Farms, Inc. | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2023 | 616 violations | $123,132 | 152 | 0 |
| Buenaventura Ranch, LLC | Watsonville | Nov 15, 2023 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $2,955 |
| 88 Enterprise | Santa Cruz | Oct 11, 2023 | 2 violations repeat | $10,688 | 1 | $686 |
| Crumbl Capitola C & C Colossal Cookie Company LLC | Soquel | Jul 18, 2023 | 24 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reiter Berry Farms | Watsonville | Jun 30, 2023 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | $8,263 |
| Driftwood Healthcare Center- Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | Jun 8, 2023 | 4 violations | $22,282 | 3 | 0 |
| Nicolas Rubalcaba | Watsonville | Apr 30, 2023 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lakeside Organic Gardens | Watsonville | Mar 19, 2022 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $4,930 |
| Bloom Network SC Bloom Network, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Jan 13, 2021 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| The Buttery TB J&M Corporation | Santa Cruz | Dec 31, 2020 | 12 violations | $3,154 | 11 | 0 |
| Santa Cruz Metro Transit District Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District | Santa Cruz | Dec 31, 2020 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Altura Labor, LLC | Watsonville | Dec 8, 2020 | 2 violations | $1,280 | 1 | 0 |
| The Buttery TB & JM Corporation | Santa Cruz | Nov 16, 2020 | 2 violations | $1,845 | 2 | 0 |
| Sawasdee Thai Cuisine Hongmanee Jongsuwan Corporation | Soquel | Oct 3, 2020 | 17 violations | $3,780 | 1 | 0 |
| Sawasdee By The Sea | Santa Cruz | Oct 3, 2020 | 32 violations | $3,258 | 5 | 0 |
| Santa Cruz Metro Transit District | Santa Cruz | Aug 5, 2020 | 2 violations | $3,488 | 1 | 0 |
| Monterey Mushroom Royal Oaks Facility | Watsonville | Jul 14, 2020 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Conley General Engineering Inc. | Santa Cruz | Dec 29, 2019 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ramsey Lath Plaster, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Aug 6, 2019 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Valero 88 Enterprises, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Jun 17, 2019 | 5 violations | $822 | 4 | 0 |
| Valero 88 Enterprises, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Jun 17, 2019 | 4 violations | $818 | 3 | 0 |
| Lakeside Organic Gardens | Watsonville | Mar 1, 2019 | 6 violations | 0 | 0 | $5,010 |
| Palapas Restaurant and Cantina | Aptos | Jul 7, 2016 | 6 violations | $10,950 | 5 | 0 |
| Santa Cruz Nutritionals | Santa Cruz | Mar 31, 2016 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Capitola Manor Flying Proa Enterprises, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Mar 9, 2016 | 47 violations repeat | $50,000 | 45 | 0 |
| Granite Construction Company | Watsonville | May 2, 2015 | 4 violations | $3,504 | 1 | 0 |
| Juan Escobar | Watsonville | Dec 15, 2014 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| CFE Farms | Watsonville | Dec 12, 2014 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Garden Liquors & Deli Santa Cruz Garden Liquor & Deli Inc | Santa Cruz | Dec 5, 2014 | 2 violations | $4,079 | 1 | 0 |
| A & A Organic Farms Corporation | Watsonville | Sep 8, 2014 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spring Hills Berry Farm, Inc. | Watsonville | Jun 21, 2014 | 16 violations | $1,084 | 11 | $1,400 |
| California Giant | Watsonville | Jun 20, 2014 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New West Cooling | Watsonville | Jun 19, 2014 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Gigantes Farms | Watsonville | Jun 18, 2014 | 42 violations | $4,201 | 18 | $2,150 |
| Soquel Properties | Soquel | Apr 21, 2014 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Cruz County Children's Mental Health | Felton | Feb 20, 2014 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corralitos Farms LLC | Watsonville | May 22, 2013 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System USA Inc Greenhouse System USA Inc. | Watsonville | Jan 22, 2013 | 45 violations | $147,677 | 44 | 0 |
| Dominican Hospital | Santa Cruz | Dec 12, 2012 | 30 violations | $59,212 | 29 | 0 |
| Stealth Network Communications | Santa Cruz | Oct 4, 2012 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| California Giant Berry Farms | Watsonville | Sep 28, 2012 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Food Service Systems | Watsonville | Jul 31, 2012 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Toadal Fitness (Live Oak) | Santa Cruz | Jul 16, 2012 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Coast Building and Development | Scotts Valley | Jul 10, 2012 | 3 violations | $760 | 2 | 0 |
| WYSIWYG Farms | Watsonville | Jun 30, 2012 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tres Coronas | Watsonville | Jun 9, 2012 | 8 violations | $152 | 3 | $600 |
| Avalos Berry Farms | Royal Oaks | Jun 8, 2012 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corralitos Farms LLC | Watsonville | Jun 5, 2012 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sun Valley Berries | Watsonville | Jun 4, 2012 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ACME | Watsonville | Mar 21, 2012 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | $800 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | Watsonville | Dec 1, 2011 | 768 violations | 0 | 0 | $740,850 |
| Jorge Castro Farms | Santa Cruz | Oct 21, 2011 | 45 violations | $34,650 | 25 | $13,900 |
| Tomatero Organic Farm | Aptos | May 18, 2011 | 3 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall | Santa Cruz | Apr 5, 2011 | 6 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VALLEY CONVALESCENT & REHAB CENTER | Watsonville | Mar 19, 2011 | 14 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Little Tampico | Soquel | Aug 16, 2010 | 2 violations | $630 | 1 | 0 |
| Fine Line Painting, Inc. Ditmars Fine Line Painting, Inc. | Watsonville | Jun 8, 2010 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Canepa Design | Scotts Valley | Feb 10, 2010 | 39 violations | $39,727 | 38 | 0 |
| Santana Paving and Grading, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Dec 31, 2009 | 4 violations | $465 | 3 | 0 |
| Mandujano Farms | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2009 | 16 violations | $11,468 | 16 | $3,200 |
| Santana Paving and Grading, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Nov 30, 2009 | 3 violations | $1,000 | 2 | 0 |
| Santana Paving and Grading, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Nov 30, 2009 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mandujano Farms | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rincon Farms | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chanticleer Home | Santa Cruz | Aug 31, 2009 | 25 violations | $8,744 | 24 | 0 |
| Shoreline Collision Center | Watsonville | Aug 16, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Global Concepts Warehouse | Watsonville | Feb 25, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Montessori Scotts Valley Montessori Scotts Valley Incorporated | Scotts Valley | Jan 22, 2009 | 7 violations | $5,664 | 1 | 0 |
| Sunset Farms, Inc. | Santa Cruz | Sep 30, 2008 | 4 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gracia Camp | Watsonville | Jun 13, 2008 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coastal Berry North, LLC | Watsonville | Jun 13, 2008 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Villa Camphora | Watsonville | Jun 12, 2008 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kobayashi Camp | Watsonville | Jun 10, 2008 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A & A Farms, LLC | Watsonville | Jun 10, 2008 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Larse Farms | Watsonville | Jun 10, 2008 | 2 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Granite Construction Company | Watsonville | May 22, 2008 | 7 violations | $149,430 | 7 | 0 |
| Santa Cruz Compost Company, Inc. | Watsonville | Apr 23, 2008 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tri-County Landscape Supply | Watsonville | Apr 23, 2008 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| City of Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | Oct 23, 2007 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Destiny Transportation | Watsonville | Aug 27, 2007 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Santoro Transportation, Inc. | Watsonville | Dec 31, 2006 | 13 violations | $10,927 | 12 | 0 |
| Granite Construction Company | Watsonville | Nov 30, 2006 | 2 violations | $8,490 | 2 | 0 |
| Monterey Bay Rebar | Watsonville | Sep 23, 2005 | 10 violations | $1,194 | 10 | 0 |
| Granite Rock, Inc | Watsonville | Jul 31, 2005 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DCD Financial & Insurance Services | Santa Cruz | Jun 30, 2005 | 5 violations | $936 | 4 | 0 |
| CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection | Felton | Mar 31, 2005 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chocolate Bar | Capitola | Dec 31, 2004 | 1 violation | $29 | 1 | 0 |
| Dave's Gourmet Albacore | Santa Cruz | Oct 16, 2004 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Monterey Bay Rebar | Watsonville | Aug 14, 2004 | 1 violation | $6,233 | 1 | 0 |
| Skip's Tire & Auto Centers Skip's Tire & Auto Centers Scotts Valley Inc | Scotts Valley | Jul 31, 2004 | 6 violations | $3,029 | 6 | 0 |
Largest back-wage records in Santa Cruz County
| Employer | Cases | Back wages | Workers paid | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Construction Company | 3 | $161,424 | 10 | May 2, 2015 |
| System USA Inc | 1 | $147,677 | 44 | Jan 22, 2013 |
| Glez Farms, Inc. | 1 | $123,132 | 152 | Nov 30, 2023 |
| Dominican Hospital | 1 | $59,212 | 29 | Dec 12, 2012 |
| Pono Hawaiian Grill, LLC | 1 | $50,973 | 72 | Oct 27, 2024 |
| Capitola Manor | 1 | $50,000 | 45 | Mar 9, 2016 |
| Canepa Design | 1 | $39,727 | 38 | Feb 10, 2010 |
| Jorge Castro Farms | 1 | $34,650 | 25 | Oct 21, 2011 |
| City of Watsonville | 1 | $32,500 | 1 | Mar 6, 2024 |
| Poppy Hill Home | 1 | $30,399 | 2 | Mar 4, 2024 |
| Driftwood Healthcare Center- Santa Cruz | 1 | $22,282 | 3 | Jun 8, 2023 |
| Aptos Country Home | 1 | $19,735 | 3 | Mar 4, 2024 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | 4 | $18,840 | 13 | Sep 1, 2024 |
| Borland Software Corporation | 1 | $12,400 | 4 | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Phillips 66 SEI 38009 | 1 | $11,798 | 9 | Nov 13, 2024 |
| Mandujano Farms | 2 | $11,468 | 16 | Nov 30, 2009 |
| Palapas Restaurant and Cantina | 1 | $10,950 | 5 | Jul 7, 2016 |
| Tom Santoro Transportation, Inc. | 1 | $10,927 | 12 | Dec 31, 2006 |
| 88 Enterprise | 1 | $10,688 | 1 | Oct 11, 2023 |
| Chanticleer Home | 1 | $8,744 | 24 | Aug 31, 2009 |
By year closed
| Year | Cases | With violations | Back wages | Workers paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | $6,486 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | $164,245 | 100 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 | $156,102 | 156 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | $0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 7 | $16,805 | 21 |
| 2019 | 5 | 3 | $1,640 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | $60,950 | 50 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | $3,504 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 | 5 | $9,364 | 30 |
| 2013 | 2 | 1 | $147,677 | 44 |
| 2012 | 12 | 8 | $60,124 | 34 |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 | $34,650 | 25 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 | $40,357 | 39 |
| 2009 | 12 | 6 | $27,341 | 46 |
| 2008 | 10 | 7 | $149,430 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 2 | $19,417 | 14 |
| 2005 | 4 | 2 | $2,130 | 14 |
| 2004 | 4 | 3 | $9,291 | 8 |
Cities in Santa Cruz County with cases
- Watsonville56 cases, $582,052
- Santa Cruz32 cases, $262,900
- Scotts Valley5 cases, $61,580
- Aptos2 cases, $10,950
- Soquel4 cases, $4,410
- Capitola1 cases, $29
- Royal Oaks1 cases, $0
- Felton2 cases, $0
Your rights in Santa Cruz County
The federal file stops at $7.25 and weekly overtime. California workers in Santa Cruz County are owed the state minimum wage of $16.90 in 2026 or the higher local rate, overtime after 8 hours in a day, an hour of pay for each missed meal or rest period, and up to 30 days of wages when final pay is late. Claims go to the Labor Commissioner or to Superior Court, three years back, four under the Unfair Competition Law. Our Santa Cruz County employment law page covers the local offices and deadlines. Free, confidential review: (800) 371-3088.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division enforcement database, California cases through Sep 6, 2026. County is assigned from the city on the case. Back to the wage theft tracker.
About this data: Cases come from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division enforcement database (WHD compliance actions concluded since fiscal year 2005, California employers only), published by the Department of Labor and reloaded here every month. "Back wages" are amounts the employer agreed to pay at the close of the investigation; "penalties" are civil money penalties assessed. An investigation that found no violation is listed as such. The database does not include California Labor Commissioner cases or private lawsuits. This page is general information, not legal advice about your situation.