THIS AGENCY WILL NOT PAY YOU.. DO NOT WORK FOR THEM

[Laura Mateo]

Do not work for DCR LITIGATION (Duke Court Reporters) located in Westlake Village.  After saying they will pay for one of the few jobs I did for them back in April, I still have not received anything.  Excuses after excuses.  THEY USED TO POST ON CSR Nation, but I think their reputation is going around. 

 

I just want to warn other reporters out there so they don't end up like me....working for free.

 

Rocket Reporting is another non-paying agency.

[Denise Jones]

Hi Laura,  Thanks so much for the info.  The jobs were in LA county.  Is it small claims court online or any other name I should know?  I'll get started.

That's what I thought, too -- since Keith quit or 'is not longer with DCR," there goes any hope left of ever being paid, not that he was that effective anyway.  You can't tell me an agency owner doesn't know what here admin employees are doing, thus the reason it's been nearly eight months and no payment for work performed in early 2011. 

 

[Laura Mateo]

If Keith quit, I guess that means they won't be paying me the last of what they owe me.  I suspected he wouldn't be working there much longer. 

 

Denise:  Was the job taken in Los Angeles county?  If so, you can file online now with the courts and they will review your claim. 

I heard the statute of limitations on contracting jobs is two years.  Anything other than that, you may not be able to file a claim.  I have one agency owing me from 2009.  Guess that means I need to file my claim asap.

[Denise Jones]

I, too, am owed by DCR for outstanding work from eight months ago.  Keith no longer works for them.  I've been told frequently that they were in the process of getting a check out to me.  Nothing, and I don't expect anything.  The owner called me and said to direct all correspondence through her.  Another stalling tactic, I think.  Anyway, I need to start small claims court action because it's not right that an agency can collect from the attorneys and not pay their reporters.  I can no longer waste time proving to DCR what is owed to me.  Does anyone have any info regarding the small claims court action?

[Laura Mateo]

Another Update:  Keith just called.  He said he will be mailing my check out for the job for two out of the four jobs I did for them.  We'll see if I get anything in the mail on Friday and let you guys know.

 

Also, I just wanted to add, thanks for your support and private e-mails.  I don't feel alone on this now.  but I guess that isn't a good thing.  lol.  anyway, thanks for your comments!  Do not let these agencies get away.  Stay on top of them if your agencies are not paying!  I sure will.

[Linda Mullen]

Did a job for them in May, a two hour hold.  Got the run around re: payment starting on September 5th. I threatened to call the attorney for whom I was working if I didn't receive payment by Friday, September 30th.  What do you know? A check came that day..

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

Good luck on the check being mailed.  From what I remember reading they would come up with every excuse as to why your check isn't in your hands yet.  It may be a situation where you have to take them to small claims, or you can send them a demand letter saying if you don't receive full payment by this date, you will be taking legal action.

[Laura Mateo]

Update: 

So I got a call from DCR's accountant (Keith) explaining that the reason my payment got delayed was because I did not take their job (I canceled a job with them the night before after figuring out they weren't paying) and it was his opinion that the owner delayed payment because I left them hanging and had to find a reporter to replace me.  I told him that my canceling should have nothing to do with them holding out on sending me my check.  He said he didn't have any pull with the company and that basically whatever the owner says, goes.  Who is this owner?  She sure looks friendly on her profile on Linkedin.com. 

Well, Keith said he'll try to get payment out as soon as possible.  That's the fourth time he's said that and I told him that over the phone, and all I hear is him stuttering. 

This will be my last post and rant about this topic unless something miraculous happens, and I get paid. 

 

Good grief.  Just pay up!

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

@ Tricia, I thought it was 2009 when this all first came up, but couldn't remember.  I don't even know this firm, or have ever worked for them, but I have no problem relaying what I can remember was being said about them...lol...I despise this woman and her firm, attorney, and everyone else associated with her, and it's not even a battle for me to fight.

[Tricia McLaughlin]

@Rosalie,

It was 2009 when she screwed me or at least tried to.

[APM & Associates]

Hi Laura -  I send you a friend request.  I'd like to send you a private message also.