California awards $8.6 million to local prosecutors to enforce workers’ rights
Oakland— The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) is awarding $8.55 million in Workers’ Rights Enforcement grants to 16 prosecutors’ offices across the state. Now in its second year, this first-of-its-kind grant program supports local efforts to combat wage theft and other labor violations by providing critical funding to hold lawbreaking employers accountable.
With this funding, local prosecutors can strengthen and expand their capacity to investigate wage theft, build specialized enforcement units, and increase prosecutions against employers who break the law.
What California Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower said: “Wage theft is a serious crime that devastates working families and weakens California’s economy. I am proud to announce an additional $8.55 million in grant funding to continue advancing our critical work in holding perpetrators accountable through increased prosecutions for wage theft. We remain firmly committed to partnering with community organizations, industry leaders, and public prosecutors to end these abusive practices. Workers deserve every dollar they’ve rightfully earned, and law-abiding employers deserve a level playing field.”
Demand remained high this year, with local prosecutors requesting more than $10.7 million in total funding. While only $8.55 million was available, the strong interest reflects a growing commitment among local offices to take an active role in protecting workers and holding employers accountable.
Each office was eligible to apply for up to $750,000 in competitive grant funding. Grant funds are restricted to personnel and audit-related costs to ensure resources are specifically directed toward wage theft enforcement efforts.
The 16 public prosecutors who applied for the grant will receive awards as detailed below:
| Public Prosecutor | Award |
|---|---|
| Alameda District Attorney | $750,000 |
| Contra Costa District Attorney | $360,000 |
| Fresno City Attorney | $750,000 |
| Long Beach City Prosecutor | $250,000 |
| Los Angeles City Attorney | $400,000 |
| Los Angeles County Counsel | $250,000 |
| Los Angeles District Attorney | $750,000 |
| Oakland City Attorney | $630,269 |
| Orange County District Attorney | $700,000 |
| San Diego City Attorney | $400,000 |
| San Diego District Attorney | $750,000 |
| San Francisco City Attorney | $600,000 |
| San Francisco District Attorney | $233,256 |
| San Mateo District Attorney | $750,000 |
| Santa Clara County Counsel | $750,000 |
| Sonoma District Attorney | $226,475 |
“I thank the California Labor Commissioner’s Office for providing additional resources that bolster our fight against worker exploitation, enhance partnerships, and forge new county-wide alliances to uncover wage theft across San Mateo County’s major industries,” said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. “We have uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen wages, filed criminal charges, launched several investigations, and built a strong network of community partners who ensure every victim’s story reaches our team. With this momentum, we are relentlessly pursuing every dollar owed and sending an unmistakable message: in San Mateo County, stealing from workers will cost you far more than you ever saved.”
“The Workers' Rights Enforcement Grant has been essential in empowering our city to investigate and prosecute wage theft in Fresno,” said Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz. “With this grant funding, we've established a dedicated prosecution unit within the City Attorney’s Office focused on holding violators accountable. We want our residents to know that we will not tolerate bad actors stealing from hardworking people.”
Established in 2023 with $18 million in funding over two years, the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program provides competitive funding to support state labor law enforcement and assist workers in combating wage theft, preventing unfair competition and protecting state revenue. Today’s announcement marks the second round of grant funding, following the initial $8.55 million awarded in 2024. Additional information on the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program is posted online.
About the Labor Commissioner’s Office
Within the Department of Industrial Relations, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (California Labor Commissioner’s Office) combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.
In 2020, LCO launched a multi-pronged outreach campaign, Reaching Every Californian. The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to affected populations, so workers and employers understand legal protections and obligations, as well as the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement procedures.
Workers who have questions about labor laws enforced by LCO can call 1-833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook and X (Twitter).
Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: MakeItFair@dir.ca.gov
Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161