Allegations of Wage Theft and Exploitative Practices
Andrea Marshall, the owner of a luxury fashion label known for its high-end designs worn by celebrities such as Cynthia Erivo, Katie Holmes, and Julia Roberts, is facing serious legal charges. According to reports, Marshall allegedly ran her Manhattan factory as a ‘sweatshop’ by stealing tens of thousands of dollars from her employees’ wages.
Marshall, 44, is the owner of Salon 1884 LLC, and she is accused of refusing to pay nine of her employees who worked shifts that lasted up to 17 hours. This resulted in approximately $54,000 in unpaid wages from August 2023 through June of this year. The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, described the working environment as one marked by “volatility, fear and manipulation,” with Marshall allegedly berating workers and screaming at them during their shifts.
Marshall is now facing multiple charges, including grand larceny in the second degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, failure to secure compensation, and failure to pay wages in accordance with labor law. Her company is also facing the same charges. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in Manhattan criminal court on Wednesday and was released without bail, according to the New York Post. In photos from the Daily Mail, Marshall was seen hanging her head in shame as she exited the courthouse.
In a statement to Gothamist, attorney Corey Briskin expressed confidence that “the truth will prevail and that my client will be vindicated” following a thorough investigation. The Daily Mail has also reached out to Briskin and Salon 1884 LLC for comment.
Marshall founded the sustainable fashion company in 2021, establishing a studio on West 39th Street in the Garment District. Her designs have been sold for thousands of dollars through luxury retailers and online platforms like Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, and Net-a-Porter. However, prosecutors claim that behind the scenes, Marshall forced her seamstress to work “grueling hours” with overnight shifts lasting between 12 to 17 hours. Other employees were allegedly made to work more than 100 hours in one week.
Prosecutors argue that this was not an accident, noting that Marshall set the schedule, required her employees to punch in and out, and determined their rates of pay. When their work was completed, Marshall allegedly delayed paying the employees, providing them with “a series of shifting explanations and requirements.” At times, she would issue nominal partial payments, propose installment plans she never honored, or offer clothing in lieu of the lost wages.
Several employees eventually won small claim judgments, but prosecutors say Marshall failed to pay those as well. Employees then tried to reach out directly to Marshall for their paychecks. In shocking text messages uncovered by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, one worker asked Marshall for just half the money they were owed. “Miss Andrea, please can you pay me half,” it read. “I really need to send money to Ecuador for my children. I really need it, miss, please help me.”
The staffer followed up two days later by sending the praying hands emoji. Another text message from May showed an employee asking Marshall to “please… pay me something.” “I need to send it to Ecuador,” the worker wrote. “It’s for my son. Please, I’m asking you. He’s sick.”
A third text message showed Marshall allegedly reprimanding an employee who requested payment. “You are not allowed in my office,” she allegedly wrote. “I will mail you a check.” Yet, prosecutors said, the employees never got the payments they were promised.
“She preyed on the significant power imbalance of her employees who relied on the promised wages for housing and basic living expenses, feared retaliation and lacked the financial resources to pursue legal recourse,” Bragg said in a statement. “Hard-working New Yorkers deserve every dollar they earn.”
Marshall also allegedly stiffed independent contractors who provided essential services for the company, including modeling agencies, a pattern maker, and a hair stylist. As with her staff members, prosecutors say Marshall repeatedly promised the contractors they would be paid and assured them that their payment was forthcoming. Despite repeated collection efforts and legal demands, though, she allegedly failed to pay the contractors their outstanding balances.
The luxury fashion tycoon is further facing charges for failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance and failing to register the business with the Department of Labor. If she is found guilty, Marshall could face up to 15 years behind bars. She is due back in court on September 23.
In the meantime, anyone who believes they may have been a victim to Marshall’s alleged scheme is encouraged to call the District Attorney’s Worker Protection Unit at (646) 712 – 0298.
