D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment Of Salon 1884 For Worker Exploitation, Wage Theft

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of ANDREA MARSHALL, 44, owner of luxury clothing brand SALON 1884 LLC, for allegedly exploiting her employees by requiring them to work extensive hours while stealing approximately $54,000 in their wages between August 2023 and June 2026. MARSHALL and SALON 1884 are each charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, one count of Effect of Failure to Secure Compensation, and five counts of Failure to Pay Wages in Accordance with the Labor Law. [1]

"As alleged, Andrea Marshall, the owner of Salon 1884, exploited and stole approximately $54,000 in wages from her employees while selling luxury garments. She preyed on the significant power imbalance of her employees who relied on the promised wages for housing and basic living expenses, feared retaliation, and lacked the financial resources to pursue legal recourse," said District Attorney Bragg. "Hard working New Yorkers deserve every dollar they earn. This is an ongoing investigation - please call or message our Worker Protection Unit at (646) 712-0298 if you may be a victim, regardless of your immigration status."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The wage theft case against Salon 1884 and Andrea Marshall is a powerful reminder that no one is above the law when it comes to protecting workers' rights. Wage theft is a crime, plain and simple, and will not be tolerated in New York State. I applaud the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for bringing these charges to protect vulnerable workers, and for their continued partnership as we work to safeguard the livelihoods of all New Yorkers."

MARSHALL founded SALON 1884 LLC, a garment manufacturing company located on West 39th Street in the Garment District, in 2021. SALON 1184 sold garments, often for thousands of dollars, through luxury retailers and online platforms including Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, and Net-A-Porter.

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, MARSHALL repeatedly failed to pay her workers, stealing approximately $54,000 in wages from nine workers for approximately 924 hours of labor.

The alleged exploitative working conditions included excessive hours, consecutive overnight shifts, and chronic nonpayment of wages. MARSHALL's seamstresses routinely worked more than forty hours per week in her 39th Street workspace, including overnight shifts and shifts lasting between twelve and seventeen hours. In at least two instances, employees worked more than 100 hours in one week.

MARSHALL exercised direct control over her employees. She set their schedules, requiring them to punch-in and punch-out, determined their rates of pay, and supplied the workspace, sewing machines, fabric, patterns, and other production materials. MARSHALL paid them through Zelle, checks, or cash.

After work had already been completed, MARSHALL delayed payment through a series of shifting explanations and requirements. In some instances, MARSHALL issued nominal partial payments (such as $100), proposed installment plans that she did not honor, or offered clothing in lieu of wages. Several workers obtained small claims judgments that MARSHALL failed to satisfy.

Workers repeatedly sought payment directly from MARSHALL, including through text messages and emails. MARSHALL allegedly falsely represented that payments were forthcoming.

MARSHALL also allegedly engaged in similar conduct with independent contractors who provided essential services for SALON 1884, including modeling agencies, a pattern maker, and a hair stylist. MARSHALL repeatedly promised payment, and assured them that payment was forthcoming, yet failed to pay the outstanding balances despite repeated collection efforts and legal demands.

Additionally, MARSHALL allegedly failed to carry workers' compensation insurance, which is required by law to protect employees in the event of a workplace injury.

Assistant D.A.s Rachana Pathak (Chief of the Worker Protection Unit) and James Clarke (Worker Protection Unit) are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Christopher Conroy (Chief of the Rackets Bureau) and Judy Salwen (Deputy Chief of the Investigation Division) and Executive Assistant D.A. Jodie Kane (Chief of the Investigation Division). Paralegal Paulina Morales is assisting with the case, as well as Sargeant Genesis Cornielle, Lieutenant Patrick O'Brien and Investigator Haley Fitzpatrick. Former Paralegal Lilah Hixson also assisted in the investigation.

D.A. Bragg thanked the Department of Labor, and particularly Frank King, for their partnership in this investigation.

Defendant Information:

ANDREA MARSHALL

Ridgewood, NY

Charged:

• Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Effect of Failure to Secure Compensation, a class E felony, one count
• Failure to Pay Wages in Accordance with the Labor Law, a class A misdemeanor, five counts

SALON 1884 LLC

Charged:

• Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Effect of Failure to Secure Compensation, a class E felony, one count
• Failure to Pay Wages in Accordance with the Labor Law, a class A misdemeanor, five counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.