MEBANE V. GKN DRIVELINE NORTH AMERICA, INC.

**Worker's Wage Theft Lawsuit Dismissed by Federal Court** Mebane, a worker at GKN Driveline North America, Inc., filed a lawsuit claiming the company violated his civil rights related to wage theft. The employee alleged that his employer improperly withheld wages that he was legally entitled to receive. The federal court in North Carolina dismissed the entire case, ruling that Mebane failed to present a valid legal claim that the court could address. The dismissal was "with prejudice," meaning Mebane cannot refile the same lawsuit again. The court found that even if all of Mebane's allegations were true, they did not establish a violation of federal civil rights laws that would allow him to recover damages. This case highlights an important distinction for workers: wage theft claims are typically handled under state labor laws or federal wage and hour laws, not civil rights laws. Workers who believe their employer has stolen wages should consult with employment attorneys about the proper legal channels, which may include filing complaints with state labor departments or pursuing claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act rather than civil rights statutes.