At page 1005 Corporations must be represented by licensed counsel61 citing casesAs we stated in K.M_A., Inc. v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 652 F.2d 398, 399 (Sth Cir. 1982), the ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’
- Rejoyce Found. & Rickye Henderson v. Armbrust & Brown, No. 1:25-cv-01179 (W.D. Tex. Nov. 19, 2025).([T]he ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel)
- G&G Closed Circuit Events, LLC v. TKO Ram LLC, No. 5:23-cv-01533 (W.D. Tex. Aug. 20, 2025).(Gordon declined to hire counsel to represent the corporation so the district court properly struck the defenses of the corporation.)
- Hameurlaine v. Antoine Bus., Inc., No. 4:24-cv-03924 (S.D. Tex. July 2, 2025).(The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’)
- Marcus Tech., LLC v. Baton Rouge Shrimp Co., No. 3:21-cv-00103 (M.D. La. June 6, 2023). (As we stated in K.M_A., Inc. v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 652 F.2d 398, 399 (Sth Cir. 1982), the ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’)
- AHBP LLC v. Lynd Co., No. 5:22-cv-00096 (W.D. Tex. Jan. 23, 2023).(Gordon declined to hire counsel to represent the corporation so the district court properly struck the defenses of the corporation.)
- Koster, No. 3:26-cv-00743 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 25, 2026).The court denied Koster’s motion, explaining: The current, and longstanding, clear rule in the Fifth Circuit, which this court is obligated to follow, is “‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed…
- Conmigo Enter. LLC v. AB Mill, No. 3:26-cv-01405 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 25, 2026).See Rowland v. Cal. Men’s Colony, Unit II Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1993) (“[L]ower courts have uniformly held that 28 U.S.C. § 1654 ... does not allow corporations, partnerships, or associations to appear in federal co…
- Rebecca Lamper v. U S Specialty Ins. Co, No. 2:21-cv-01141 (W.D. La. Aug. 24, 2026).La. June 19, 2025) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984)).
- Robinson, No. 3:25-cv-00976 (S.D. Miss. June 5, 2026).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984); see also Handshoe v. Perret, No. 1:15-cv-382-HSO-JCG, 2017 WL 10110911 , at *1 (S.D.
- U.S. Equal Emp. Opportunity Comm'n v. Trico Transp., Inc., No. 2:23-cv-01298 (W.D. La. Mar. 25, 2026).(striking defenses of unrepresented corporation)
Show 50 more citing cases
- Rodriguez, No. 3:25-cv-00693 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 12, 2026). Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’”) (quoting K.M.A., Inc. v. Gen.
- Green Recycling of Michigan, Inc. v. City of Warren, No. 2:25-cv-12650 (E.D. Mich. Dec. 16, 2025).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- Dupont, No. 2:24-cv-02775 (E.D. La. Dec. 5, 2025).Fla. 2021) (citing United States v. Hagerman, 549 F.3d 536, 537 (7th Cir. 2008)). 5 Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam); Sw.
- Mike Spot LLC v. GPM Empire, LLC, No. 2:23-cv-11603 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 24, 2025).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- WeGrow AG LLC v. Mavco Energy, LLC, No. 5:23-cv-00922 (W.D. Tex. Sept. 4, 2025).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam).
- 829 Yale Holdings, Inc v. Choudhri, No. 4:24-cv-00404 (S.D. Tex. Aug. 27, 2025).ANALYSIS The clear rule in this circuit is “that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (Sth Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quot…
- Preciado v. Recon Sec. Corp., No. 3:23-cv-00052 (W.D. Tex. Aug. 13, 2025).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984).
- Park v. Fox, No. 3:24-cv-00402 (N.D. Tex. July 2, 2025).See Rowland v. Cal. Men’s Colony, Unit II Men’s Advisory Council, 506 U.S. 194, 201-02 (1993) (“[L]ower courts have uniformly held that 28 U.S.C. § 1654 ... does not allow corporations, partnerships, or associations to appear in federal co…
- Jurek v. Fed. Hockey L L C, No. 6:24-cv-00797 (W.D. La. June 19, 2025).Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984).
- ICM US Operating LLC v. Industrias Costa Mesa SA de CV, No. 3:23-cv-00678 (N.D. Tex. June 9, 2025).Id. at *1 (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)); Huffines Retail Partners, L.P. v. Atlas Apartments Acq., LLC, Civil Action No. 3:19-cv-2425-S-BH, 2021 WL 965920 , at *2 (…
- Five Star Roofing v. Robinson, No. 23-cv-2301 (Vt. Super. Ct. Feb. 28, 2025).publishedCo., 3 F.3d 1244 , 1245 (9th Cir. 1993) (dismissing case after corporation failed to follow order to retain counsel); Palazzo v. Gulf Oil Corp., 764 F.2d 1381, 1386 (11th Cir. 1985) (affirming lower court dismissal of claims after affordin…
- 1-800 Water Damage Int'l, LLC v. Restoration RX, LLC, No. 2:24-cv-10110 (E.D. Mich. Jan. 10, 2025).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- Gold Pearl Records LLC v. City Sketches, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-10151 (E.D. Mich. Dec. 17, 2024).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- Liberty Ins. Corp. v. Diagnostic Chiropractic MI, P.C., No. 2:24-cv-10831 (E.D. Mich. Dec. 17, 2024).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- Alaniz v. Swarek, No. 2:24-cv-00025 (S.D. Tex. Nov. 14, 2024).A corporation “as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (citation omitted); see also Rowland v. Cal. Men’s Co…
- Safe Life Def. v. SAS MFG Inc, No. 3:24-cv-01964 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 21, 2024).No. 3 at 1, SAS is “a fictional legal person” and may “only be represented by licensed counsel,” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as…
- Texas Mut. Ins. Co. v. SITUS Trucking, LLC, No. 1:23-cv-00842 (W.D. Tex. July 12, 2024).(stating that district court properly struck the defenses of corporation after it declined to hire counsel)
- K3 Logistics, LLC v. Cryptotherm Mfg., Inc., No. 7:24-cv-00001 (W.D. Tex. May 28, 2024). In fact, “[t]he ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’ ” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quoting K.M.A…
- Cunningham v. Headstart Warranty Grp., LLC, No. 3:24-cv-00545 (N.D. Tex. Apr. 25, 2024).“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quoting K.M.A., Inc. v. G…
- Navarro v. Cmty. Care Partners LLC, No. 3:23-cv-02815 (N.D. Tex. Apr. 10, 2024).But “[t]he ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quoting K.M.A., Inc…
- Horton v. SunPath Ltd, No. 3:23-cv-00631 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 7, 2024). No. 35-1, it is “a fictional legal person” and may “only be represented by licensed counsel.” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a f…
- Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 Defined Contribution Fund v. Maverick Fire Prot., Inc., No. 2:23-cv-11845 (E.D. Mich. Sept. 8, 2023).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- TenPearls, LLC v. Medulla Int'l, LLC, No. 4:22-cv-00550, 2023 WL 3292883 (E.D. Tex. May 5, 2023).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam); Lattanzio v. COMTA, 481 F.3d 137, 139 (2d Cir. 2007) (per curiam).
- IR Air Inc v. Petros, No. 3:22-cv-01703 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 20, 2023).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam).
- Lomakoski v. Total Response EMS, Inc., No. 2:21-cv-10747 (E.D. Mich. Oct. 11, 2022).Cir. 2009) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) and Strong Delivery Ministry Ass’n v. Bd. of Appeals of Cook Cnty., 543 F.2d 32, 33 (7th Cir. 1976)).
- U.S. Sec. & Exch. Comm'n v. Silea, No. 4:20-cv-00737 (E.D. Tex. June 28, 2022).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (entities are not permitted to proceed pro se in federal court).
- Viahart, LLC v. Arkview LLC, No. 6:19-cv-00406 (E.D. Tex. Apr. 27, 2022).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam)).
- U.S. Sec. & Exch. Comm'n v. Silea, No. 4:20-cv-00737 (E.D. Tex. Jan. 27, 2022). (Dkt. #27 at 2 (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984)).
- Pharma Funding LLC v. Verde Pharmacy & Med. Supply LLC, No. 3:20-cv-01731 (N.D. Tex. Jan. 14, 2022).“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quoting K.M.A., Inc. v. G…
- D'Arcy Petroleum LLC v. Mink, No. 3:19-cv-02770 (N.D. Tex. Oct. 6, 2021). (per 5 curiam)
- Am. Saf. LLC v. Harold Alger, No. 2:20-cv-03451 (E.D. La. May 4, 2021).Doc. 1 at 2. 19 Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1217 (1985) (citing K.M.A., Inc. v. Gen.
- Am. Saf. LLC v. Harold Alger, No. 2:20-cv-03451 (E.D. La. Apr. 9, 2021).Doc. 1 at 2. 27 Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1217 (1985) (citing K.M.A., Inc. v. Gen.
- Det. Equip. Installation, LLC v. C.A. Owens & Assocs., Inc., No. 2:20-cv-02342 (E.D. La. Mar. 5, 2021).(holding “the ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel’)
- Lennie Jackson v. Wells Fargo N.A. Jackson is precluded from making further filings in this case without leave of court. The Clerk will not accept new filings submitted by Jackson in this case., No. 4:20-cv-01172 (S.D. Tex. Dec. 11, 2020).Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (quoting K.M.A., Inc. v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 652 F.2d 398, 399 (5th Cir.1982)).
- Hill Country Indus., Inc. v. Planet Wealth Int'l Corp., No. 5:19-cv-00404 (W.D. Tex. June 5, 2020).Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam).
- Fu v. Ling, No. 3:18-cv-02066 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 23, 2019).“The ‘clear’ rule is ‘that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.’” Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir. 1984) (per curiam) (quoting K.M.A., Inc. v. G…
- Advantage Healthplan, Inc. v. Potter, 391 B.R. 521 (D.D.C. 2008).publishedCo. v. Hurricane Logistics Co., 216 F.R.D. 14 , 16 n. 3 (D.D.C.2003) (citing Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir.1984)).
- Liberty Mut. Ins. v. Hurricane Logistics Co., 216 F.R.D. 14 (D.D.C. 2003).publishedE.g., Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir.1984). .
- Plaquemines Par. Com'n Council v. Delta Dev. Co., 502 So. 2d 1034 (La. 1987).publishedSee Community Chest v. Union Mission Association, 30 So.2d 131 (La.App. 2d Cir.1947); Southern Sawmill Co. v. Ducote, 120 La. 1052 , 46 So 20 (1908); Donovan v. Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1005 (5th Cir.1984).
- Manzoor A. Memon v. Allied Domecq QSR, 385 F.3d 871 (5th Cir. 2004).published
- Advantage HealthPlan Inc. v. Potter (In Re Greater Se. Cmty. Hosp. Found., Inc.), 586 F.3d 1 (D.C. Cir. 2009).published
- Earle Indus., Inc. v. C-Way Enter., Inc. (In Re Earle Indus., Inc.), 67 B.R. 822 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1986).published
- Kipp v. Royal & Sun All. Pers. Ins. Co., 209 F. Supp. 2d 962 (E.D. Wis. 2002).published
- Fed. Election Comm'n v. Novacek, 739 F. Supp. 2d 957 (N.D. Tex. 2010).published
- Roshan Assocs., Inc. v. Motiva Enter., L.L.C., 241 F. Supp. 2d 639 (E.D. La. 2002).published
- Michael Torres v. Jeffrey Krueger, 596 F. App'x 319 (5th Cir. 2015).unpublished
- Stark v. Kohrs, No. 1:19-cv-00041 (W.D. Tex. Jan. 13, 2020).
- Stark v. Kohrs, No. 1:19-cv-00041 (W.D. Tex. Feb. 12, 2020).
- Univ. Mall, LLC v. Okorie, No. 2:24-cv-00091 (S.D. Miss. Nov. 21, 2024).
- Cent. Boat Rentals, Inc. v. Harbor Dredging, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-02861 (E.D. La. Feb. 27, 2026).
At page 1006 in the particular industry. The district court found that the major portion of the annual dollar volume of sales of the automobile/truck stop consists of…1 citing case
- Meecorp Capital Markets LLC v. Tex-Wave Indus. LP, 265 F. App'x 155 (5th Cir. 2008).unpublishedRangers Country Junction, Inc., 736 F.2d 1004, 1006 (5th Cir.1984) (per curiam). 4 .
At page 1004 “the 'clear' rule is 'that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.”0 citing cases
v.
ROAD RANGERS COUNTRY JUNCTION, INC., Etc., Et Al., Defendants, Thelma P. Gordon, Defendant-Appellant
Appellant Thelma P. Gordon, acting pro se, is the sole shareholder and Secretary of Road Rangers Country Junction, Inc., doing business as Road Rangers Country Junction. The business is an automobile and truck stop in Tickfaw, Louisiana. This is a suit by the Secretary of Labor against the corporation and Gordon for violation of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 207. Gordon filed timely notice of appeal. Her motion to expedite the appeal is mooted by this decision.
Since the suit by the Secretary was brought against both Gordon and the corporation of which she is the sole shareholder, the district judge directed under established law that counsel be hired to represent the corporation because she, not a lawyer, could not represent the corporation. As we stated in K.M.A., Inc. v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 652 F.2d 398, 399 (5th Cir.1982), the “clear” rule is “that a corporation as a fictional legal person can only be represented by licensed counsel.” See also Southwest Express Co., Inc. v. Interstate Commerce Commission, 670 F.2d 53, 56 (5th Cir.1982).
Gordon declined to hire counsel to represent the corporation so the district court properly struck the defenses of the corporation. Gordon has appealed in her own behalf and not on behalf of the corporation, Thus she has the right to appear pro se to represent her personal interests in the ease.
On the merits, the district court found that her automobile and truck service station business was not entitled to exemption as a retail or service establishment, 29 U.S.C. § 213(a)(2), and also was an enterprise, 29 U.S.C. § 203(s), within the coverage of the statute. The court found that the restaurant maintained at the site of appellant’s business was to be treated separately as an exempt retail establishment.
We have given careful consideration to the claims advanced by appellant. We conclude they are wholly without merit. We have difficulty in understanding appellant’s persistence in claiming her business enterprise is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act when a reading of that statute reveals with clarity that her employees who work in the auto/truck stop portion of her business are entitled to claim statutory overtime under that Act.
The findings of fact reveal that the auto/truck stop’s annual gross volume of sales for the years 1980, 1981, and 1982, has amounted to about one million dollars each year. Excluding the restaurant sales which the district court found were not part of the enterprise, the annual gross income was approximately $885,000 each of the three years. The annual gross volume of sales to establish an enterprise under the Fair Labor Standards Act has been escalating by statutory provision and now has reached the amount of $362,500, which is far less than the annual gross of $885,-000 of Gordon’s enterprise.
To qualify as a retail or service establishment under § 213(a)(2) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, seventy-five percent of the annual dollar volume of sales of goods or services must be recognized as retail sales[*1006] in the particular industry. The district court found that the major portion of the annual dollar volume of sales of the automobile/truck stop consists of diesel fuel sales to truck drivers. The law is that sales of diesel fuel to trucks are not retail sales in the industry. The sale of diesel fuel to truckers is not considered a retail sale in the industry regardless of the terms of the sale. The regulation promulgated by the Secretary provides:
Sales of diesel fuel (and LP gas) for use as truck or bus fuel and the repair and servicing of trucks and buses used in over-the-road commercial transportation ... are specialized goods and services “which can never be sold at retail ... whatever the terms of the sale ... Sales of these items are nonretail whether made by truck stops or other establishments ...” (citations omitted).
29 C.F.R. § 779.371(c)(7).
This regulation is not binding on the court, but the regulation has been upheld in Usery v. Yates, 565 F.2d 93 (6th Cir.1977), and in Canterbury v. Dick, 385 F.Supp. 1004 (S.D.Tex.1973). The fact that such sales are claimed to be at a “retail” price makes no difference. Donovan v. Williams Chemical Co., d/b/a Dooley Oil Co., 682 F.2d 185, 190 (8th Cir.1982). We find these holdings are correct. They follow a well established pattern which has been in existence from the inception of the Fair Labor Standards Act that certain sales of specialized commodities to the ultimate consumer are not retail sales because they are not being “acquired for family or personal use.” Idaho Sheet Metal Works v. Wirtz, 383 U.S. 190, 203, 206, 86 S.Ct. 737, 745, 747, 15 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966).
Appellant points to the fact that the Department of Energy defines appellant’s business as a “retail outlet” for purposes of price control. This definition has no relevance whatsoever to the technical definition of what constitutes a retail or service establishment under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Finally, appellant claims that the ten million dollar gross volume requirement set out in § 213(g) is applicable. A reading of that provision, however, makes clear that it has no relevance whatsoever to this ease. In the first place, it applies only to minimum wages, not maximum hours. In the second place, it has to do only with establishments which are parts of other establishments whose gross volume exceeds ten million dollars. We have no such enterprise in this case.
It must be concluded that the district court was correct in finding the employees of the automobile/truck stop subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The government notes its doubt as to the correctness of the holding of the district court that the restaurant employees are separate and are entitled to the retail or service establishment exemption. However, the government did not appeal this portion of the district court’s decision so it is not before us.
Appellant’s brief is full of vituperative and insulting language directed to the Secretary of Labor and the government officials enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act. She calls their action “malicious, slanderous, and libelous.” She filed a counterclaim alleging the Secretary had committed acts of “intimidation, harassment, commercial extortion, and commercial terrorism.” Although this counterclaim was earlier dismissed by the district court, appellant Gordon in her appellate brief pro se asks for an injunction against the Secretary and large amounts of damages for harassment, threats of jail sentences and fines, slander, and assassination of character.
These claims are utterly without any foundation whatsoever. The only actions which have been taken by the Secretary and those enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act are to require the plaintiff to obey the statute as it applies in her business. There is nothing wrong with the federal officials enforcing the laws of the United States. The assertions and prayers of appellant with respect to these matters are dismissed as frivolous.
Finally, plaintiff has brought to the attention of the Court many claims extrañe[*1007] ous to this lawsuit. For example, she asked this Court to enjoin the State of Louisiana from collecting taxes upon her business because she cannot afford to pay them because of the wage and hour claims. By earlier orders we denied such an injunction. The Louisiana tax officials are not in any way involved in this lawsuit. She also claims that she has not been able to pay various suppliers because of the financial demands occasioned by the judgment in this lawsuit. Such matters are irrelevant to her statutory obligation to obey the law of the land.
Appellant makes general assertions that she has always treated her employees “fairly”. In connection with the activities of the enforcement division of the Fair Labor Standards Act, she told the employees that they could work overtime if they wished but she simply could not afford to pay overtime pay. It is well established that the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act are binding and cannot be waived by the employees. Brooklyn Savings Bank v. O’Neil, 324 U.S. 697, 65 S.Ct. 895, 89 L.Ed. 1296 (1945).
Appellant had every right to challenge the applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act to her employees of the auto/truck stop. The district court was correct, however, in finding that her employees were entitled to overtime pay under the provisions of the federal law. A careful reading of the statute and the history of its administration leaves no doubt the district court’s decision is correct. Criticism of the Secretary of Labor and federal, officials enforcing the well established provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act is wholly without justification. The costs of the appeal will be taxed to appellant.
AFFIRMED.