OAKLAND — Prosecutors in Alameda County have charged the owners of a Union City-based security company with stealing more than $800,000 in wages from their employees, authorities said Friday.
The investigation, which began in December 2021, showed that the owners of Alfa Private Security, Inc., owed regular and overtime wages to 87 employees, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said in a news release.
The two owners each were charged with theft of wages from employees; conspiracy to commit a crime and insurance fraud. One of the owners also was charged with possession of an assault weapon, possession of a short-barrel rifle and possession of an expandable baton.
“The behavior of these owners who cheated workers out of their fair and proper wages is completely unacceptable,” Price said in a statement. “These workers are owed their rightful wages. My office will keep a watchful eye on this type of wage theft and insurance fraud to ensure businesses are not taking advantage of workers.”
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office, and the state’s insurance and labor departments also were involved in the investigation, Price said.
According to Price, investigators found that one of the owners possessed unregistered “ghost guns” and that he gave some to his employees. Employees reported that they were given guns at different work sites, including a cannabis dispensary, Price said. Those employees did not have gun licenses, nor were they trained to use the guns, she said.
Ghost guns are homemade guns that are privately made and lack a serial number. They often are untraceable.
Additionally, Price said a forensic audit of the company’s insurance policy based on information found in the investigation showed the company made misrepresentations on its policy from 2017-2021, causing a financial loss of $88,000.
The two are scheduled to be in Superior Court on Feb. 14, where they are expected to enter their pleas.