5 Shocking Details Of The Maine Ride Detailing $139K Wage Theft Case: What Employees Were Denied

The outcome of a major wage theft case in Maine has sent a clear message to employers across the state. As of late 2025, the details of the judgment against Maine Ride Detailing, LLC, and its owner, Mostafa Elfaham, remain a significant point of discussion regarding employee rights and labor law enforcement. The case, which concluded with a substantial financial penalty, exposed a systematic pattern of labor violations that spanned years, denying hard-earned wages and tips to numerous workers.

The successful prosecution by the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) highlights the state's commitment to using "Strategic Enforcement" to protect its workforce. This article breaks down the most shocking details of the case, the penalties imposed, and the broader implications for Maine businesses and their employees in the current climate of heightened labor scrutiny.

Key Players and Corporate Profile: Maine Ride Detailing, LLC

The central figures and entities in this landmark wage theft case are crucial to understanding the full scope of the violations. The judgment was brought forth by the State of Maine and the Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards against the company and its owner.

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• Primary Defendant (Company): Maine Ride Detailing, LLC.
• Also Operating As: East Coast Coatings.
• Primary Defendant (Individual/Owner): Mostafa Elfaham.
• Plaintiff: State of Maine and Director, Bureau of Labor Standards (an arm of the Maine Department of Labor).
• Industry: Vehicle detailing and coatings services.
• Location: Penobscot County, Maine.
• Nature of Violations: Failure to pay employees for all hours worked, and unlawful withholding of wages and tips.

Mostafa Elfaham, as the owner and manager of Maine Ride Detailing, LLC, was found personally liable for the company’s extensive violations of Maine's strict wage and hour laws. This personal liability is a critical aspect of the judgment, ensuring that owners cannot simply shield themselves behind a limited liability company structure when committing serious labor violations. The case serves as a stark reminder of the financial and legal risks associated with non-compliance in the labor sector.

5 Shocking Details of the $139,000 Wage Theft Judgment

The court’s final order against Maine Ride Detailing, LLC and Mostafa Elfaham was not just a fine; it was a comprehensive financial remedy designed to compensate the affected employees fully and punish the systemic violations. Here are the five most shocking and significant details of the case.

1. The Total Financial Penalty Reached $139,000

The most immediate and striking detail of the case is the total financial obligation. The court ordered Maine Ride Detailing and Mostafa Elfaham to pay a total of $139,000. This massive figure is a combination of unpaid wages, tips, and substantial liquidated damages. The sheer size of the penalty underscores the severity of the violations, signaling that wage theft is a costly offense in Maine.

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2. Over Five Years of Systemic Wage Violations

The investigation revealed that the illegal practices were not isolated incidents but a systemic pattern of violations that had been occurring for a period of five years. This extended timeframe demonstrates a clear, long-term disregard for the legal rights of employees. The violations were tracked across 266 separate pay periods, indicating that nearly every paycheck issued during that time was potentially incorrect or incomplete.

3. Liquidated Damages Doubled the Cost to the Employer

A key component of the $139,000 judgment was the inclusion of liquidated damages. Under Maine law, when an employer is found to have committed wage violations, the court can award liquidated damages—an amount equal to the unpaid wages—to the employees as a form of compensation for the delay and hardship. In this case, the liquidated damages amounted to $69,461.30, effectively doubling the financial liability for the unpaid earnings. This provision is a powerful deterrent, making the cost of wage theft significantly higher than simply repaying the original amount owed.

4. Withholding of Both Wages and Employee Tips

The violations were two-fold, involving both the failure to pay employees for the full time they worked and the unlawful withholding of tips. Tips are legally the property of the employee, and withholding them is a serious violation of both federal and state labor laws. This detail highlights a severe exploitation of workers, particularly those relying on tips for their livelihood.

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5. The Defendants Failed to Cooperate with the Court

The final judgment was a default judgment, in part because the defendants, Maine Ride Detailing and Mostafa Elfaham, failed to comply with court orders to provide discovery during the lawsuit. Furthermore, they did not appear for the final hearing. This non-cooperation led the court to rule in favor of the State, underscoring a lack of accountability and respect for the judicial process, which likely contributed to the maximum penalties being imposed.

The Strategic Enforcement Model: Protecting Maine Workers

The successful outcome of the Maine Ride Detailing case is a direct result of the Maine Department of Labor’s (MDOL) emphasis on Strategic Enforcement. This approach focuses on investigating and prosecuting employers who engage in widespread, systemic violations of labor laws, rather than solely pursuing minor, isolated claims.

By targeting businesses that repeatedly violate wage and hour laws, the MDOL aims to achieve a greater impact on the labor market, ensuring a fairer playing field for compliant businesses and providing significant relief to a larger number of affected workers. The judgment in this case is a public declaration that the state will use its full legal authority to protect the rights and compensation of its workforce.

The Broader Implications for Maine Businesses

This case serves as a loud warning to all Maine employers regarding the severe consequences of non-compliance. The implications are clear:

• Personal Liability: Business owners, like Mostafa Elfaham, can be held personally responsible for corporate wage theft, stripping away the protection of the LLC structure.
• High Financial Risk: The threat of liquidated damages means that the true cost of unpaid wages is doubled, making wage theft an extremely expensive business decision.
• Increased Scrutiny: The MDOL's use of Strategic Enforcement means that businesses with a history of complaints or a high risk of systemic violations are likely to face comprehensive audits and lawsuits.
• Reputational Damage: The public nature of the judgment, widely reported by local news and the government, causes irreparable damage to the company's and owner's reputation, affecting future business prospects and community trust.

For employees in Maine, the Maine Ride Detailing case is a victory that reinforces the power of the Bureau of Labor Standards and the legal system to recover their rightful earnings. It encourages workers who suspect unpaid wages or withheld tips to come forward, knowing that the state has the resources and commitment to fight on their behalf.

The $139,000 penalty against Maine Ride Detailing, LLC, and Mostafa Elfaham stands as a monumental example of accountability in the business world. It is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of labor law enforcement and a crucial reminder that employee compensation is not optional—it is a legal right.