A former employee has taken legal action against his previous employer, alleging a series of workplace violations that paint a troubling picture of the company’s practices. Elmer Ortega filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, on November 26, 2025, against AYC Food Services Incorporated and its associates Kamran Ghazi-Tehrani and Laura Dominguez. The lawsuit outlines multiple grievances including retaliation, failure to accommodate disabilities, and systematic wage theft.
The case revolves around Ortega’s tenure as a cook at AYC Food Services from August 23, 2019, to September 16, 2024. During this period, Ortega claims he was denied basic workplace protections such as meal and rest breaks due to chronic understaffing. His commitment to the company was evident as he worked regular shifts from 4:00 PM to midnight for $20 per hour. However, the narrative took a dark turn following an injury on August 16, 2024. Despite medical documentation supporting his need for accommodations upon returning to work on August 22, Ortega alleges that the defendants failed to engage in any interactive process or provide reasonable accommodations for his disability.
Ortega’s dismissal on September 16 came just weeks after returning from medical leave—a decision he argues was retaliatory and based on a previously resolved allegation. “This devastating betrayal came not from strangers but from employers who had benefited from Mr. Ortega’s five years of dedicated service,” the complaint states. Additionally, Ortega accuses AYC Food Services of engaging in systematic wage theft throughout his employment by denying him over $78,000 in unpaid premium wages related to meal and rest break violations.
The lawsuit also highlights attempts by Ortega’s counsel to obtain personnel and payroll records on September 26, which were met with silence—an act described as an effort by the defendants to conceal evidence of their violations. The complaint seeks general damages for lost wages and emotional distress alongside statutory penalties for various labor code violations including waiting time penalties and inaccurate wage statements.
Ortega is represented by Joseph Gross and Eva Abrams of RD Law Group LLP. The case is being heard under Case No: 2at3fO2e4 So in front of the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County.
Source: 25CV028450_Elmer_Ortega_v_AYC_Food_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento.pdf
