Mohamed Rashid Bati (74), the former owner of Royal India Cuisine in Kirkland and Linwood, Washington State, and her manager, Aisha Bati (47), have been charged with multiple felony theos for defaulting on nearly $45,000 in employees’ wages from 2021 to 2023. On June 4th, the two pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) investigation found that 41 employees complained about not receiving the compensation they deserved, and some even encountered bounced checks. Furthermore, Elsa was also accused of not paying the wages of the employees of her other enterprise, Marigold Design House, and a nanny.
The first-level theft charge involves an employee being owed $20,394 in wages and overtime pay for four months, while the remaining charges range from $820 to $4,468. From 2019 to 2025, L&I has sent 16 notices to the restaurant, demanding a salary of $128,000 and a fine of $40,000. So far, only $47,000 has been recovered. The Kirkland branch has been closed, and the Lynnwood branch has been taken over by a new owner and renamed for operation.
Both first-degree and second-degree theft are classified as Class B felonies. The former can be punished with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $20,000, while the latter can be punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. This case was initiated by the office of the state attorney general, highlighting the severe crackdown on wage theft in Washington State.
Related Topic:
