Wage theft is a crime—and California is finally treating it like one. In a major step toward workplace justice, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) has awarded $8.55 million in grants to 16 city and county prosecutors across the state to ramp up local enforcement of wage and hour laws.
This move comes at a time when working families face rising costs, shrinking hours, and growing pressure from unscrupulous employers. With this new funding, the state is putting teeth behind its promise to hold lawbreaking employers accountable.
What Is the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant?
Launched in 2023 as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program provides competitive funding to local prosecutors to:
- Investigate wage theft and other labor law violations
- Build dedicated labor enforcement units
- File criminal and civil prosecutions
- Partner with community-based organizations to reach vulnerable workers
The 2025 funding round marks the second year of the program, which was originally allocated $18 million over two years.
Why This Matters for California Workers
Historically, wage theft cases were handled administratively—often resulting in years-long delays, unpaid judgments, or insufficient penalties. This program shifts the narrative by treating wage theft as a prosecutable offense, with local city attorneys and district attorneys empowered to:
- Conduct audits and investigations
- File charges in criminal court
- Enforce restitution and compliance orders
- Coordinate with community groups to identify violators
For workers, this means:
- Faster and more aggressive enforcement
- Public accountability for exploitative employers
- Greater support in areas where state-level resources are stretched thin
Where Is the Funding Going?
The following prosecutors’ offices received awards (some up to $750,000):
| Prosecutor’s Office | Award |
|---|---|
| Alameda District Attorney | $750,000 |
| Fresno City Attorney | $750,000 |
| San Diego District Attorney | $750,000 |
| San Mateo District Attorney | $750,000 |
| Santa Clara County Counsel | $750,000 |
| Orange County District Attorney | $700,000 |
| Oakland City Attorney | $630,269 |
| San Francisco City Attorney | $600,000 |
| Long Beach City Prosecutor | $250,000 |
| Los Angeles County (multiple entities) | Over $900,000 combined |
The grants are earmarked specifically for labor law enforcement, including staffing costs, audit resources, and prosecution-related expenses.
“We are relentlessly pursuing every dollar owed and sending an unmistakable message: in San Mateo County, stealing from workers will cost you far more than you ever saved,” said San Mateo DA Stephen Wagstaffe.
What This Means for EFLL Clients
At Employees First Labor Law, we represent workers in many of the counties receiving this funding. This grant program is not just symbolic—it’s a powerful tool you can use in your case.
If you’re a worker who has been:
- Denied wages or tips
- Paid below minimum wage
- Forced to work off-the-clock or skip breaks
- Retaliated against for speaking up
—your claim may now benefit from parallel local investigations and prosecutorial pressure.
How We Use This in Litigation:
- Reference criminal investigations in our PAGA claims
- Leverage local audit findings to show willfulness
- Coordinate with prosecutors to provide evidence or case leads
- Push for early settlements based on public enforcement activity
Stronger Together: The Public-Private Worker Protection Network
This funding also enhances collaboration between:
- Private attorneys (like EFLL)
- City attorneys and DAs
- Labor Commissioner investigators
- Community groups and legal aid clinics
When we align forces, we build pressure from every angle—public and private, civil and criminal.
“With this grant funding, we’ve established a dedicated prosecution unit… focused on holding violators accountable,” said Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz.
That’s a model we support—and one that amplifies results for workers statewide.
Bottom Line: Wage Theft Just Became Riskier
The state is sending a clear message: stealing from workers is not just civil—it’s criminal. With $8.55 million flowing to local prosecutors, California is arming frontline attorneys with the resources to investigate, expose, and punish wage theft in real time.
If your employer owes you money—or has violated your labor rights—it’s not just unfair. It’s illegal.
We’re Ready to Help
At Employees First Labor Law, we fight for workers who’ve been exploited, underpaid, or retaliated against. With this new era of enforcement, your voice matters more than ever—and we’re here to make sure you’re heard.
At Employees First Labor Law, we fight for workers across California to make sure your rights are respected, your body is protected, and your benefits are maximized.
