A former employee of a California restaurant has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and multiple labor law violations. The complaint was lodged by Apolinar Diaz Sanchez on June 18, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, against N Joi Foods Inc., doing business as Joi Cafe. Sanchez accuses the company of wrongful termination and various breaches of employment laws.
According to the complaint, Sanchez began working as a cook for Joi Cafe on September 1, 2019. Over time, he claims to have faced discrimination and retaliation after requesting accommodations related to his partner’s disability. Specifically, Sanchez alleges that after notifying his employer about needing time off to care for his partner in May 2024, he was terminated on June 2, 2024. “Defendants discriminated and retaliated against Plaintiff for exercising Plaintiff’s right to request an accommodation,” the complaint states.
Sanchez’s lawsuit outlines numerous allegations against Joi Cafe under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other state labor codes. These include failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation, not providing reasonable accommodations or engaging in a good faith interactive process regarding such accommodations. Additionally, Sanchez claims that he was not paid overtime wages despite regularly working over eight hours per day and more than forty hours per week. He also asserts that he was denied statutory meal and rest breaks during his employment.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $35,000 for lost wages and benefits due to alleged wrongful termination. Moreover, he demands punitive damages citing deliberate actions by the defendants with “a willful and conscious disregard” for his rights. The lawsuit also requests injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices by the employer and demands restitutionary disgorgement of profits gained through unlawful conduct.
Representing Apolinar Diaz Sanchez is attorney Ramin R. Younessi from the Law Offices of Ramin R. Younessi in Los Angeles. The case has been assigned Case No. 2025 CLNWT 049402 at the Ventura County Superior Court but does not list specific defense attorneys or judges involved at this stage.
Source: 2025CUWT049402_Apolinar_Diaz_v_N_Joi_Foods_Complaint_County_of_Ventur.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049402_Apolinar_Diaz_v_N_Joi_Foods_Complaint_County_of_Ventur.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049402_Apolinar_Diaz_v_N_Joi_Foods_Complaint_County_of_Ventur.pdf
Source: 2025CUWT049402_Apolinar_Diaz_v_N_Joi_Foods_Complaint_County_of_Ventur.pdf
