Construction Workers Announce $800,000 Settlement of Wage Theft Lawsuit Against Construction Companies
A group of Latino construction workers has reached an $800,000 settlement to resolve a wage theft lawsuit against Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and subcontractors Centerline Construction Company and Congratulations Construction, Inc. Workers Jose Elias Martinez, Efrain Hernandez Bartolo, Isaias Hernandez Bartolo, and Genearo Villeda Maldonado alleged that subcontractors engaged in an intentional scheme to deny employees wages on the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center construction project, even requiring some workers to use false names.
“This settlement compensates more than 15 construction workers who built a premier cancer center that will benefit many Marylanders,” said Sarah Bessell of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, which represented the workers. “Our clients were cheated out of thousands of dollars they had rightfully earned.”
The settlement underscores the ongoing fight against wage theft in the construction industry and serves as a reminder for stronger oversight on public projects.
Sarah Bessell joined the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in 2022. As counsel on the workers' rights team, Sarah supervises the Workers' Rights Clinic and represents low-income workers challenging wage theft, misclassification, and discrimination in the workplace.
Prior to joining WLC, Sarah was Deputy Director of the Human Trafficking Legal Center. She is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's University (Los Angeles) and the George Washington University Law School, and holds a master's degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University.
WLC Board Profile
Jay Williams (Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe)
Jay Williams, an Orrick partner, provides litigation counsel to financial services companies and individuals navigating internal investigations, government investigations, and complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on consumer finance matters and electronic discovery. Jay is a board member of Interfaith Action for Human Rights and a founding board member of Greater D.C. Diaper Bank. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.A.) and American University Washington College of Law (J.D.).
Jay's engagement with the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs ("WLC") spans decades. As a first-year associate, Jay volunteered as the Venable Associates Trustee and organized a fundraising auction to benefit WLC's Associates' Campaign. Over the years Jay has handled multiple WLC pro bono matters including representing incarcerated individuals in parole hearings and researching state human rights laws. In April 2024 Jay joined the WLC board of directors as Orrick's board member. Most recently, Jay and his spouse Corinne Cannon hosted a happy hour at their Washington, D.C. home for WLC donors and supporters.
Associate Trustee Spotlight
Sandeep Prasanna (Miller & Chevalier)
Sandeep Prasanna, senior associate at Miller & Chevalier, advises clients on congressional matters, government investigations, and corporate investigative matters in the U.S., India, and other countries. He previously served as an investigative counsel on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the Capitol ("Select Committee"). He conducted depositions and interviews of nearly 100 witnesses, provided strategic and legal guidance on novel congressional investigations issues, managed the intake and follow-up for thousands of confidential tips, and worked closely with the legal and communications teams to produce the Select Committee's public-facing work, including nationally televised hearings and the final report. Previously, Sandeep developed expertise in government investigations and legislative strategy as a Senate and House counsel to senior members of Congress. As the top counterterrorism advisor on the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Sandeep led bipartisan investigations, hearings, and the passage of several national security bills. As a counsel to two U.S. Senators, Sandeep advised on judicial nominations, civil rights, and drafted landmark hate crimes legislation that was signed into law in 2021. Sandeep is an adjunct professor at UCLA School of Law and Georgetown University Law Center. He is a member of the South Asian Bar Association and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Washington, D.C. A WLC Associate Trustee, Sandeep co-led the Miller & Chevalier Associates' Campaign: the team raised over $7300 and finished as the 3rd top-performing team among DC small law firms. As Sandeep says, "I am honored to support the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs in its mission to leverage the power of the law to advance justice, equality, and civil rights. Together with my colleagues, I am proud to contribute to the fight against discrimination and to support efforts that protect the rights of vulnerable communities across the Greater Washington DC metropolitan region."
Pro Bono Spotlight
Mayer Brown Real Estate Team
In order to save expenses, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs ("WLC") recently renegotiated our office lease. We looked for pro bono real estate counsel to handle the lease amendments. The real estate team at Mayer Brown stepped up. Mike Morelli (partner) focuses on general commercial real estate and real estate financings. Ronny Shoss (partner) leads Mayer's Houston office and represents institutional real estate owners throughout the country. Tim Choppin (counsel) provides guidance through complex real estate transactions, particularly in the hospitality industry. With a newly revised lease, WLC is now redoubling our efforts to bring systemic, cutting-edge litigation to advance racial justice in the Greater Washington DC metropolitan region.
Coming Down the Pike
WLC is Coming to Your Neighborhood!
In the coming months WLC parties will take place throughout the DC metro area. WLC staff and board members will discuss our racial justice work:
Jan. 25: Lew Wiener disability fellowship reception - Rockville, MD
Feb. 3: Launch of 2025 Associates Campaign – Together for Justice
Mar. 1: WLC reception – Chevy Chase, MD
Mar. 12: WLC happy hour – West End – Washington, D.C.
If you would like to attend one of these parties, please contact WLC Development Director Melissa Nussbaum at melissa_nussbaum@washlaw.org or 202-319-1070.
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee works to create legal, economic and social equity through litigation, client and public education and public policy advocacy.
