Two brothers who own a chain of Los Angeles car washes were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $1.25 million in unpaid wages to 54 workers in a wage left lawsuit.

According to court documents, Benny and Nissan Pirian each pleaded no contest Friday to six criminal counts, including conspiracy, grand theft, and several labor code violations. They were each sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay restitution.

Deputy City Attorney Julia Figueira-McDonough called the lawsuit a “landmark” case. “What occurred at the car washes doesn’t fit the technical definition of ‘indentured servitude,’” Figueira-McDonough said. “But people worked for years without receiving the minimum wage or overtime; they worked in hazardous conditions where they were regularly exposed to chemicals and not provided with safety equipment to prevent injury. They weren’t provided with drinking water… It was really a sweatshop.”

According to the criminal complaint, workers received a flat rate of $35 or $40 a day – far below the federal and state minimum wages. Workers were also denied overtime pay.

If you feel you have not been given the overtime payment you deserve, you should contact an Overtime Collection Attorney of Tycko & Zavareei, LLP., by calling 202-973-0900.