Jul 24, 2025
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Maryland - Today, we filed a lawsuit in Prince George's County Circuit Court on behalf of Pacita Payne, a dedicated 60-year-old property manager who was systematically deceived and financially exploited by her employers after two decades of faithful service.
The case reveals a shocking scheme of corporate greed and callous disregard for worker rights. After Ms. Payne agreed to move to a smaller apartment to help her employer maximize profits, the company promised her "free" housing as a benefit. However, behind her back, they secretly slashed her salary by exactly $20,400 annually—the exact amount of the apartment's rent—while maintaining the lie that her housing was free.
Over fifteen months, Ernst Equities LLC stole more than $25,000 from Ms. Payne through this deceptive wage reduction scheme. The betrayal became even more unconscionable when Ms. Payne suffered a workplace injury in the summer of 2024 that left her wheelchair-bound. Rather than showing compassion for a longtime employee, the company coldly terminated Ms. Payne's employment and now seek to evict her from her home.
"What these defendants did to Ms. Payne represents corporate misconduct at its most egregious," said Managing Attorney Jordan D. Howlette. "They deceived her about her compensation while she worked faithfully for them, then discarded her the moment she needed accommodation for her disability. No worker should ever face such systematic exploitation and cruelty."
The lawsuit alleges violations of Maryland's Wage and Hour Law, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment. Ms. Payne seeks treble damages totaling at least $76,500, plus punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief. The case is Pacita Payne v. Ernst Equities, LLC, et al. (Case No. C-16-CV-25-004105).