Faayou Staff Legal Reporter

EUGENE, OR: A former candidate for governor forced a woman to care for his sick mother around the clock for less than minimum wage under threat of deportation, and owes her $174,000 in back wages, compliant says.

Monica Garcia sued William Ames Curtright and the two companies he runs, saying Curtwright paid her less than $5 an hour, "well below the federal minimum wage," and used his businesses "to pay for the private care of his mother."

She claims Curtwright owes her $174,035 in back wages, and seeks as much again as liquidated damages for labor law violations.