Donald Trump golf club sued over treatment of workers in Rancho Palos Verdes (Credit: Getty Images, iStock)
Four employees at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles have filed a lawsuit alleging they were forced to work overtime without pay and were denied rest and food breaks.
The suit against VH Property Corp. — a holding company connected to the Trump Organization — accuses the golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes of violating California Labor Code. The four waitresses who filed the suit are seeking to recover wages that were withheld along with damages that exceed $25,000.
The suit comes nearly three months after Rancho Palos Verdes voters rejected a ballot measure that would have required large resorts and clubs — including Trump National — to pay employees at least $15 an hour, implement regular raises through 2022 and provide panic buttons to employees who work in isolated areas.
The food servers’ lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Its plaintiffs are Adriana Curiel, Brissette Curiel, Jackeline Honorio and Maria Rodriguez. VH Property is the entity that runs President Trump’s golf properties, including its club house restaurants and meeting facilities.
Trump purchased the golf course for $27 million in 2002 from developers Kenneth and Robert Zuckerman; they had filed for bankruptcy protection after a portion of the course collapsed into the ocean.
While Trump made substantial additions to the property, the club has struggled financially in recent years.
Trump has also endured a rocky relationship with the city leaders and golf course workers. In 2008, Trump sued the city for $100 million claiming Rancho Palos Verdes refused to allow him to build a clubhouse terrace and other amenities needed to maintain the “Trump image.” The city and Trump settled the lawsuit in 2012 but terms were not disclosed.