Wage Theft Investigation Nets Former Best Wireless Employees $750K

NEW YORK CITY – New York Attorney General Letitia James has recovered $750,000 in stolen wages for workers at Best Wireless, a former Verizon retailer that operated 29 stores across New York City, Long Island, and Rockland County, including six locations in Manhattan, five in Brooklyn, 11 in Queens, and three on Staten Island.

The company, which was owned by Nishant Garg, employed as many as 450 workers. It faced numerous allegations of labor violations, including wage theft and retaliatory actions against employees who raised concerns about its actions.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that Best Wireless withheld wages by illegally deducting money for lost or stolen merchandise, failing to pay overtime, instituting a fraudulent commission structure, failing to pay commissions, and charging employees for uniforms and background checks. The company also misclassified some employees as overtime-exempt and failed to provide required breaks, all in violation of New York labor laws.

The investigation was initiated after a district manager at the company’s Tribeca location filed a complaint with Verizon's corporate office regarding unfair pay practices. The manager, who was later fired and threatened with legal action, brought the case to the Legal Aid Society, which referred it to the OAG.

In addition to wage theft, Best Wireless was found to have retaliated against the district manager and a number of its employees. One employee was harassed and had her hours cut after raising concerns about pay discrepancies, sick time violations, and a lack of commission pay, while another was fired for reporting labor law violations.

“Every worker should receive the fair treatment and full compensation they have earned and deserve,” said Attorney General James. “Best Wireless refused to provide this to hundreds of employees, threatening their livelihoods and flagrantly violating the laws designed to keep New York workers safe. With today’s agreement, we are returning this money to the employees who earned it. I will always stand up to greedy employers who cheat workers out of their hard-earned money.”

As part of the resolution, the $750,000 settlement will be distributed by the OAG to current and former employees who were victims of the company's illegal practices.

Verizon has since severed ties with Best Wireless, and the company has been sold. Should Garg, its former owner, assume a senior management role in another company, he is required to notify the OAG within 30 days and ensure proper labor law training is provided for all managers and workers.

The settlement is the latest win in Attorney General James’ broader effort to combat wage theft in New York, a campaign that has included high-profile settlements with Uber and Lyft, Marriott, Manhattan bar Sweet & Vicious, and more.