Protecting Virginians: Attorney General Jones Announces Worker Protection Unit; Makes Stops in Kilmarnock, Yorktown, and Hampton Roads

Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General

For media inquiries only, contact:  
Rae Pickett
RPickett@oag.state.va.us

Protecting Virginians: Attorney General Jones Announces Worker Protection Unit; Makes Stops in Kilmarnock, Yorktown, and Hampton Roads

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jones introduced the Worker Protection Unit at the 44th Constitutional Convention of the Virginia AFL-CIO in Williamsburg, along with making stops across the Commonwealth and sharing how his office is fighting for all Virginians. 

Announces Creation of Worker Protection Unit to Protect Virginia Workers and Promote Fair Competition 

For the first time in the history of the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, working people will have a dedicated enforcement team fighting for their rights on the job. This dedicated civil enforcement team will protect Virginia workers, hold accountable employers who violate labor laws, and promote fair competition for employers that play by the rules.  

       

Richmond Times Dispatch: AG Jones sets new wage theft enforcement push 

Virginia’s top law officer is launching a dedicated enforcement team focused on employers’ unfair and illegal treatment of workers.

The new Worker Protection Unit, the first of its kind in Virginia, will take on wage theft — not paying employees overtime and paying less than the state minimum wage, Attorney General Jay Jones told the Virginia AFL-CIO convention in Williamsburg on Friday.

Also on the new unit's agenda is misclassification of employees, improperly labeling workers as independent contractors in order to dodge state and federal fair wages laws, Jones said.

The unit will also enforce laws banning harassment or retaliation against employees.

“So to the person whose paycheck has been shorted, we are coming with lawyers and investigators,” Jones said.

“To the employee deliberately mislabeled as an independent contractor so a company can dodge its responsibilities, we will follow the paper trail. To anyone threatened for speaking up, this office will have your back. And to any business that thinks cheating people is just another way to improve the bottom line: the cost of breaking Virginia law is about to go up,” he said.

[...] 

“You showed us how complaints could bounce from office to office while someone waited for help,” Jones told the AFL-CIO 

“You told us about companies counting on people being too scared, too busy, or too broke to challenge them,” Jones said. “You asked for results. Now we have to produce them.” 

WTVR: Virginia AG creates worker protection unit to investigate wage theft, misclassification

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has created a new unit in his office dedicated to worker protection.

The unit will work in tandem with the Department of Labor and Industry to investigate complaints made by workers on issues like wage theft, retaliation, and employee misclassification.

In its annual report last year, the Department of Labor and Industry said it received over 1,600 complaints about unpaid wages — a 64% increase — and recovered over $645,000 for workers.

"We want to make sure that workers across Virginia are not being shorted on their paychecks, that they are not being misclassified, that the conditions that they're working in are safe, and that is exactly what this group will do to finally have some teeth to go after bad actors here in this Commonwealth," Jones said.

WRIC and WAVY: AG Jones creates Worker Protection Unit in AG’s office 

There’s a new unit in the Office of the Attorney General.

Attorney General Jay Jones announced on Friday the creation of a Worker Protection Unit, which Jones said will put the voices of working people first.

“It’s really just a delivering, you know, on a promise that I made to people last year. We’re gonna fight to vindicate their rights, to combat wage theft, worker misclassification, to make sure that workplaces are safe and to make sure that employers are playing by the rules,” Jones told 8News. 

The unit will be tasked with investigating potential violations of labor laws like wage theft, employee misclassification and more.

[...] 

“If it’s something that we can vindicate on our own, we’re gonna do that, whether it be, it be, securing back pay or, you know, holding an employer accountable, and if there are, you know, criminal charges, we will work with local law enforcement to make sure that that path is pursued as well,” Jones said. 

29News, WDBJ7,  WVVA, and WHSV: Attorney General Jay Jones announces Worker Protection Unit for labor law enforcement

Virginia workers will soon have a dedicated legal team in their corner. Attorney General Jay Jones announced Thursday, August 13, the launch of the Worker Protection Unit, a new civil enforcement arm of his office targeting employers who violate state labor laws.

Jones unveiled the unit before members of the Virginia AFL-CIO at the organization’s 44th Constitutional Convention.

The new unit brings back a labor enforcement effort that was discontinued under former Attorney General Jason Miyares. It will sit inside the Office of Civil Rights within the Public Advocacy Division, giving it authority to investigate complaints, pursue civil litigation, and work alongside state and federal partners.

[...] 

Jones framed the effort as both a labor issue and an economic one, tying it to financial pressures facing all Virginia families.

“This issue isn’t partisan. It is about putting people first and it’s about putting money back into everyone’s pockets,” Jones said. “The tariffs have impacted everybody. Not just Democrats, not just Republicans, or Independents. No matter who you are or where you are, these policies are impacting your bottom line. And, this is just an extension of our fight to keep those resources here in Virginia.”

WSLS: Attorney General Jay Jones announces creation of Worker Protection Unit to protect workers and promote fair competition 

During his speech at the 44th Constitutional Convention of the Virginia AFL-CIO, Attorney General Jay Jones announced the creation of the AG’s new Worker Protection Unit. 

According to officials, the dedicated civil enforcement team will protect Virginia workers, hold accountable employers who violate labor laws, and promote fair competition for employers that play by the rules. 

WSET and WJLA: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced the launch of a new Worker Protection Unit Friday at his Richmond office. 

The unit will focus on protecting Virginia workers’ rights, enforcing labor laws and representing workers in legal disputes.

Jones first announced plans for the unit in February. He said the idea came from conversations with labor organizations during his campaign.

Jones also explained what happens after a worker files a complaint. 

“We’re really anticipating folks contacting the office and making sure they’re working with an investigator,” Jones said. “We’re going to gather all of the facts and then, again, work with our lawyers on staff and the Department of Labor and Industry to pursue this.” 

August 12: Attorney General Jones Visits Kilmarnock, Yorktown, and Hampton  

On Wednesday, August 12, Attorney Geneal Jones made stops in Kilmarnock, Yorktown, and Hampton. These stops highlighted conservation efforts, the Commonwealth’s role in American history, and a landmark fair housing settlement the OAG secured in late July.  

Dameron Marsh Natural Preserve Walk  

Attorney General Jones walked through the Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve alongside staff at The Nature Conservancy. They discussed conservation goals for the area and wetland restoration efforts and how the OAG can help improve the health of Virginia's ecosystems. 

   

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Visit 

Attorney General Jones visited the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, viewing exhibits which highlighted the Commonwealth’s crucial role in the nation’s history. 

   

Meets with Former David Merryman Tenants to Discuss Fair Housing Case Resolution 

Attorney General Jones and lawyers with the OAG’s Office of Civil Rights, along with representatives from the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, met with several former tenants of Hampton Roads landlord, David Merryman, a notorious landlord in Newport News and Norfolk who is already serving 17 years in prison for fraud and discriminatory practices. In July, the Office of Civil Rights secured a sweeping, landmark settlement against Merryman. The private conversation gave former tenants an opportunity to share their stories and begin to find closure.  

Virginia Mercury: Hampton Roads tenants describe landlord’s abuse, retaliation after landmark fair housing settlement

A new settlement with Hampton Roads landlord David Merryman — who is currently serving a 17-year sentence for defrauding the federal government — means several of his former tenants will receive a piece of $2.5 million in financial compensation over the next year. 

Merryman must sell his Virginia properties, numbering over 60, and can never operate as a landlord in the state again, Attorney General Jay Jones reiterated at a roundtable discussion with some of Merryman’s former tenants Wednesday in Hampton. 

The settlement money can help Lorraine Patterson-Davidson and her daughter Edwina Patterson recoup some of the financial damages caused by Merryman that resulted in their displacement, the women said.

But it can’t heal emotional wounds or recover priceless family heirlooms that were lost in the process. 

“There is no money that can compensate for a Bible that’s over 100 years old,” Patterson-Davidson said. “Nothing can replace that.” 

The lost bible was just one of the problems the women encountered during their tenancy with Merryman. They also dealt with maintenance issues the landlord neglected; the family ended up paying for them on their own, which triggered financial setbacks. 

The women said they faced multiple eviction filings and numerous occasions of racial or sexual harassment from Merryman.

[...] 

The multimillion dollar settlement is the largest fair housing case payout to victims in the state’s history, Jones said at the roundtable on Wednesday. 

Whether a tenant wins or loses an eviction proceeding, such records can make it challenging for people to have rental applications accepted elsewhere.

A provision of the settlement requires eviction filings against Merryman’s former residents be scrubbed. That may allow Patterson to finally be eligible for a new apartment or rental home, she said.

[...]

Also present at the meeting with Jones was Yugonda Sample-Jones, whose experience “ignited a fire” within her for fair housing advocacy. 

She described how she defended her family through tenant assertions in court, a process allowing tenants to pay their rent into escrow rather than to the landlord until maintenance issues are resolved. 

Sample-Jones began educating other Merryman tenants about this tool whenever she encountered them. 

The settlement is “a long time coming,” Sample-Jones said. 

“We don’t have to deal with him anymore,” she said. “I’m going to stop crying (over) this fool.”

[...]

Jones’ office will work to connect with others who’ve been harmed by Merryman who have yet to be identified. 

Jones framed the case as an example of law and order defending fair housing rights. 

“I know that you’ve been through a lot,” Jones told the women. “But I hope what you can take away from today is this idea that you did win and you have set an example for people all across Virginia.”

August 14: Attorney General Jones Visits Virginia Beach and Norfolk 

Following the announcement of the Worker Protection Unit on Friday, August 14, Attorney General Jones met with veterans and engaged with community at the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center.

Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center Tour  

Attorney General Jones was joined by Delegate Michael Feggans while touring the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center. Their person-centered approach supports Virginia veterans in need of long-term care, memory care, and skilled rehabilitation.

   

Throws First Pitch at the Norfolk Tides Game 

Attorney General Jones threw the first pitch at Harbor Park Stadium in his beloved hometown of Norfolk. 

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