Led by disbarred Michigan attorney Carl Oosterhouse, Excel Trucking shuttered in September, leaving truckers to file complaints over wages they never reportedly received.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity indicated that it fielded six wage and hour complaints over the past year regarding Excel Trucking. The troubles date back long before the now-defunct operation closed its doors. Three former employees recently went on the record claiming they’ve been short-changed by the company.
“We were just waiting and waiting and waiting,” former Excel truck driver David George reportedly said. “It impacted my kids because, first and foremost, they get their money first. So, if I don’t get any money, they can’t get any money.”
George reportedly stated that Excel owes him upwards of $3,000. Two former Excel office workers echoed his position that the company failed to pay them.
“At first, we were given the excuse that it’s because the wire transfer for the funding didn’t come through, and then it was that he had changed banks, so it wasn’t set up, you know, timely to deposit stuff. And then it was that somebody had made a mistake,” admin worker Jennifer Rasmussen reportedly said. “It was always passing the buck to somebody else.”
Although Oosterhouse, the former Excel CEO, did not go on the record telling his side of the story, records do not paint a pretty picture. The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board reportedly disbarred him for misappropriating client funds and forging a client’s signature on a check. Those unethical actions appear consistent with not paying truckers and other employers for their hard work. An email allegedly written by Oosterhouse can be interpreted as someone trying to make things right or simply making excuses.
“I am continuing to work on our financing partner, but I have not yet made the progress I had hoped,” Oosterhouse reportedly wrote. “I understand you need to make decisions and make money. I understand your frustration and, in many cases, anger. I am doing all I can and will continue to do so.”
Excel reportedly employed upwards of 30 CDL holders before closing down. Reports indicate many did not receive their wages and suffered significant financial setbacks as a result. Vicki Lewis, an office worker, noted that some truckers went broke and were “evicted from their homes.” Michigan Labor Department investigators have reportedly initiated contact with members of the Excel leadership to resolve the wage complaints.
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