Bay Area Internet mogul ordered to pay driver nearly $500,000

Victory for the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center.

On February 11, the California Labor Commissioner ordered Gurbaksh Chahal, once-illustrious Bay Area Internet entrepreneur, to pay Khabib Lutfiyev $480,727.81 for nearly a year’s worth of work.
Chahal first hired Lutfiyev as his private limo driver and bodyguard for his 30th birthday celebration in Bodrum, Turkey. Eventually, Cahal asked Lutfiyev to work for him as his private limo driver in California.

Once in California, “[Lutfiyev ] wasn’t being paid at all” Katherine Fiester of the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center said.

“When you see an employer like Mr. Chahal not paying their employee, a lot of times it’s about manipulation and control and taking advantage,” Fiester said.