Noble Logistics – $61 Million Class Claim Survives Summary Judgment

On January 26, 2016, the Delaware Bankruptcy Court denied Debtors Noble Logistics Inc., et al.'s ("Debtors" or "Noble Logistics") motion for summary judgment on their objections to the claims filed by Richard Maximo individually, and on behalf of the Putative Class.  The claims were filed in the amounts of $188,014.13, and $61,292,607.17, respectively (the "Maximo Claims"). A link to the opinion can be found here.

The Maximo Claims are based upon a complaint alleging that Maximo and other members of the Putative Classes were working or had previously worked for Aspen (one of the Debtors' affiliates) as "Delivery Drivers." It further alleges that Maximo and other class members were mischaracterized as "independent contractors" by Aspen, and, therefore, were deprived of "premium overtime compensation," minimum wages, and other protections and benefits to which they would have been entitled if treated as traditional employees.  Maximo asserts Aspen committed multiple