Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Powell, Citing Jobs Risk, Opens Door to Cuts but Doesn’t Commit

4 hours ago

Gaza City Officially in Famine, With Hunger Spreading, Says Global Hunger Monitor

4 hours ago

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

20 hours ago

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

22 hours ago

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

22 hours ago

Judge Rules Alina Habba Was Unlawfully Appointed as US Attorney in New Jersey

23 hours ago

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Latest Role Is Social Media Troll

1 day ago
Attorney Calls Bitwise Treatment of Employees 'Unconscionable,' Preps Lawsuit
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
June 2, 2023

Share

Several Bitwise Industries workers furloughed on Monday are planning to sue their former employer for violating state law, their attorney says.

“It’s just unconscionable to me that they would make their employees their last priority,” attorney Roger Bonakdar said.

“I’m so personally offended by what they’ve done to our town. And I’m committed to helping these families seek justice.”  — Attorney Roger Bonakdar

He is preparing a lawsuit that could be filed next week in Fresno County Superior Court.

Bonakdar estimated more than 100 Bitwise employees reached out to him, and he is officially representing several.

The company announced it furloughed all its employees on Monday — believed to be 300 in Fresno, and reportedly 900 nationwide.

For the last two weeks, Fresno-based Bitwise suffered negative news regarding its finances — revelations they are late paying property tax and city taxes; alleged to have not paid its rent; lawsuits from a business partner; and problems with its payroll that led to Monday’s furlough.

“Bitwise is trying to call this a furlough … in my view, that’s entirely smoke and mirrors. This is very clearly an implosion of the company and the layoff,” Bonakdar said.

Employees have told Bonakdar that recent paychecks bounced.

“(Bitwise’s) conduct establishes to me total malice and indifference,” Bonakdar said.

Going to Court

Right now, Bonakdar — who is also running for Fresno City Council in 2024 — said he is taking statements from potential plaintiffs and gathering information.

Bonakdar said he will sue for, among other things, violation of the state’s layoff notification law, known as the WARN Act. It requires employees to provide 60-days notice to employees and the affected city. City and state officials said Bitwise notified no one.

“I’m so personally offended by what they’ve done to our town. And I’m committed to helping these families seek justice,” Bonakdar said.

He admits even if they win in court, “we don’t know if there’ll be something at the end of the rainbow.”

Several Bitwise employees have posted stories of hardship on social media since the furlough.

“We’re devastated by all of this,” said one furloughed employee, whose husband and mother also worked at Bitwise.

He said the last two Bitwise checks did not clear.

“We have no household income now and were furloughed w/ZERO notice,” Christopher Ramos wrote. “We can’t pay any of our bills and are left w/ out answers. Desperate times for our family right now.”

Bonakdar said he set up a dedicated email for employees to reach him at bitwise@bonakdarlawfirm.com.

Bitwise employees in Buffalo, New York, also said that they’ve had paychecks bounce and the company failed to make 401 (k) contributions.

Monica McCutcheon, a single mother of four, told wkbw.com that she is out $5,000 in pay and 401 (k) contributions.

“Now I have to apply for food stamps, because my bank account got $42,” said McCutcheon.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

I Was Preyed On for My VA Benefits. California Can Stop It

DON'T MISS

Texas Senate Debates Redistricting Bill, Is Expected to Pass It Easily

DON'T MISS

Trump: DC Mayor Bowser Must Get Act Together or Won’t Be Mayor Anymore

DON'T MISS

Community Shares Messages of Support for Joseph Castro While He Is in Hospice Care

DON'T MISS

Bulldogs Hope to Make Kansas Dust in the Wind as Entz, Warner Debut

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Soars as Powell Hints at Rate Cut in September

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Tariffs Could Reduce US Deficit by $4 Trillion, CBO Estimates

DON'T MISS

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

DON'T MISS

Fresno Hit-and-Run on Highway 168 Kills Motorcyclist. Suspect Remains at Large

DON'T MISS

Feds Indict Retired Fresno Judge for Sexual Assault and Obstructing an Investigation

UP NEXT

Texas Senate Debates Redistricting Bill, Is Expected to Pass It Easily

UP NEXT

Trump: DC Mayor Bowser Must Get Act Together or Won’t Be Mayor Anymore

UP NEXT

Community Shares Messages of Support for Joseph Castro While He Is in Hospice Care

UP NEXT

Bulldogs Hope to Make Kansas Dust in the Wind as Entz, Warner Debut

UP NEXT

Wall Street Soars as Powell Hints at Rate Cut in September

UP NEXT

Trump’s Tariffs Could Reduce US Deficit by $4 Trillion, CBO Estimates

UP NEXT

Fresno Hit-and-Run on Highway 168 Kills Motorcyclist. Suspect Remains at Large

UP NEXT

Feds Indict Retired Fresno Judge for Sexual Assault and Obstructing an Investigation

UP NEXT

Canada to Remove Many Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods, Says Source

UP NEXT

After Joining TikTok, Trump Says He Could Extend Sale Deadline if Needed

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Community Shares Messages of Support for Joseph Castro While He Is in Hospice Care

47 minutes ago

Bulldogs Hope to Make Kansas Dust in the Wind as Entz, Warner Debut

1 hour ago

Wall Street Soars as Powell Hints at Rate Cut in September

2 hours ago

Trump’s Tariffs Could Reduce US Deficit by $4 Trillion, CBO Estimates

2 hours ago

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

2 hours ago

Fresno Hit-and-Run on Highway 168 Kills Motorcyclist. Suspect Remains at Large

2 hours ago

Feds Indict Retired Fresno Judge for Sexual Assault and Obstructing an Investigation

3 hours ago

Canada to Remove Many Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods, Says Source

3 hours ago

After Joining TikTok, Trump Says He Could Extend Sale Deadline if Needed

3 hours ago

LaVerne and Shirley Will Deliver Double the Joy for Their Adoptive Family

3 hours ago

I Was Preyed On for My VA Benefits. California Can Stop It

I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977, and was proud to do my part. Like every veteran, I believed the benefits I earned would...

14 minutes ago

Silvery military beads with dog tag on United States fabric flag and camouflage uniform
14 minutes ago

I Was Preyed On for My VA Benefits. California Can Stop It

Republican State Senator Pete Flores looks over redistricting maps as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S. August 22, 2025. (Reuters/Nuri Vallbona)
22 minutes ago

Texas Senate Debates Redistricting Bill, Is Expected to Pass It Easily

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser holds a press conference at the John A. Wilson Building following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to deploy the National Guard and federalize the Metropolitan Police Department, in Washington, D.C., August 11, 2025. (Reuters File)
25 minutes ago

Trump: DC Mayor Bowser Must Get Act Together or Won’t Be Mayor Anymore

Joseph Castro (center) and his family. (Special to GV Wire)
47 minutes ago

Community Shares Messages of Support for Joseph Castro While He Is in Hospice Care

PREVIEW Fresno State Bulldogs Football at Kansas Stadium
1 hour ago

Bulldogs Hope to Make Kansas Dust in the Wind as Entz, Warner Debut

Futures-options traders work on the floor at the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 22, 2025. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
2 hours ago

Wall Street Soars as Powell Hints at Rate Cut in September

President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump’s Tariffs Could Reduce US Deficit by $4 Trillion, CBO Estimates

Protesters hold placards as they gather around the Los Angeles Federal Building following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
2 hours ago

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend