A former employee is taking legal action against a hotel operator, alleging serious violations of labor laws. Deborah Blanchard and William Blanchard filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on February 12, 2026, accusing OM Shivam NC, LLC, which operates as Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham, along with Rupesh Patel, Susie Patel, and Harry Patel, of multiple violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act.
The plaintiffs claim that they were subjected to unlawful employment practices while working at the hotel operated by OM Shivam NC, LLC. According to the complaint, Deborah was hired as a Front Desk/Receptionist Clerk in October 2022 at a rate of $12 per hour. Her husband William joined in March 2023 for maintenance and other duties at the same hourly rate. The couple alleges that despite their job titles, they were required to perform extensive manual labor beyond their roles without appropriate compensation. The lawsuit details how both were made to work between 40 to 70 hours per week but faced illegal deductions from their wages under a mandatory housing cost scheme implemented by Rupesh Patel.
The Blanchards accuse Rupesh Patel and Susie Patel of enforcing this scheme by collecting signed paychecks as rent without providing proper accounting or obtaining written authorization for such deductions. This practice often left them with no take-home pay after full-time work weeks. Furthermore, they allege manipulation of time records to avoid paying overtime premiums and report being instructed to clock in under other employees’ names.
In addition to wage-related grievances, William Blanchard reports having been subjected to severe sexual harassment by Harry Patel during his employment. He claims that despite reporting this misconduct to Rupesh Patel, he was terminated shortly afterward. Deborah also faced termination following her complaints about unpaid wages and wrongful confiscation of her husband’s final wages.
The plaintiffs are seeking several forms of relief from the court. They demand compensation for unpaid minimum wages and overtime alongside liquidated damages under federal law. Deborah seeks additional damages for retaliation including lost wages and emotional distress. Both plaintiffs request compensation for unpaid wages under state law along with interest and attorneys’ fees.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Evan Gungor from Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The case is filed under Case ID 1:26-cv-00159.
Source: 126cv00159_Blanchard_v_OM_Shivam_NC_LLC_Complaint_Middle_District_North_Carolina.pdf
