LOS ANGELES—On January 6, 2022, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office announced that charges have been filed against a woman who was allegedly posing as a labor investigator.

The Labor Commissioner’s Criminal Investigation Unit initiated its investigation in May 2020, based on a report from a business owner. Nyesha Monique Elam, 41, of Modesto dba Labor Law Compliance, allegedly conducted inspections at various businesses in the Los Angeles area, issued “citations” to business owners and demanded payment for labor violations and labor posters.

Elam does not work for, nor was she authorized by the State of California to issue citations or collect civil penalties for labor code violations. An arraignment hearing has been held, and the criminal case against Elam remains pending. Elam faces a maximum of one and a half years in jail, and $12,500 in fines.

“Scammers posing as labor investigators can cause financial harm to a business, and damage the rapport and trust that businesses have with state labor investigators,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Fortunately, a business owner recognized the situation and reported it to the Department of Industrial Relations.”

“Impersonating a state investigator and attempting to collect bogus fines from hard working and responsible business owners is reprehensible,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. “Every business owner must be able to trust that when someone reaches out to them on behalf of a local, state or federal office it is legitimate. It’s tough enough to run a business today. We’ll do all we can to prevent anyone who owns a business from being taken advantage of.”