Jefferson County no-pay lawsuit updated after employees miss a second paycheck
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – A lawsuit against Jefferson County officials initially filed in April 2024 was updated on Jan. 30 as county employees remain unpaid due to a budget impasse.
The update is the second one made in 2025 after the lawsuit's first update was made in mid-January when the county missed its first payday of the year. The Jan. 30 update reflects a second missed payday.
Jefferson County judge back in court over not paying employees as budget crisis continues
This suit names county Judge Gerald Robinson and five Justices of the Peace on the county's quorum court. The suit alleges the five JPs have not attended quorum court meetings so the county's disputed budget could not be approved.
The county has not been able to meet its obligations, including payroll, due to the quorum court not being able to pass a budget for 2025.
Jefferson County government shutdown continues as legislative action begins to step in
The lawsuit alleges the county is violating federal law.
'Each Plaintiff and the Class has performed worked, but, despite demand, each Defendants has refused to pay Plaintiffs timely and the Class their wages for no legal reason,' the lawsuit states. 'Thus, each Defendant has violated the prompt payment rule under the FLSA [Fair Labor Standards Act].
It also states that Robinson has spent as much as $14 million without required quorum court authorization or required bids.
The suit was brought by three county employees in 2024, although the update asks that all Jefferson County employees be made part of the suit as a class action since the county missed the Jan. 15 and 30 payday.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces plan to restore Jefferson County operations
The suit asks for damages over $2 million, and the court order Robinson to pay wages.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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