Bernard Gray, a truck driver, has filed a class and collective action lawsuit against his employer, Maybach International Group LLC, alleging widespread violations of labor laws. The complaint was submitted on February 5, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Gray accuses Maybach International Group LLC of misclassifying drivers as independent contractors instead of employees to avoid paying proper wages and benefits.
Gray's allegations against Maybach are extensive. He claims that the company violated several laws, including the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Illinois consumer protection laws such as the Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFA) and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA). According to Gray, Maybach misclassified him and other drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, resulting in unpaid wages and failure to meet minimum wage requirements. He also alleges that Maybach engaged in deceptive practices by making false representations about compensation through misleading advertisements.
The plaintiff seeks damages for himself and other similarly situated drivers due to these alleged violations. This includes all unpaid wages or compensation, liquidated damages, civil penalties where applicable, injunctive relief to prevent further violations, interest on owed amounts, attorneys' fees, costs associated with bringing the lawsuit, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Bernard Gray is attorney James B. Zouras from Stephan Zouras LLC based in Chicago, Illinois. Brook S. Lane from Fair Work P.C., located in Boston, Massachusetts, is also listed as counsel pro hac vice forthcoming. The case is presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID 1:25-cv-1252.