Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta Owner Fights to Keep Business, Employees afloat Amid Fire Recovery Efforts

Amid ongoing recovery efforts for four Palm Desert businesses lost in an arson fire earlier this month, some employees are expressing concerns about their financial future.

Ira Mosley, owner of Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, is one such employee who is working tirelessly to keep up with payroll during these challenging times. Despite the difficulties, Mosley has personally covered all expenses so far and hopes that the insurance company will reimburse a portion of the costs.

Mosley also faces the challenge of finding work in the desert during the slower summer months and is determined not to lose his longtime employees. He plans to relocate his business within the same shopping center and aims to reopen by October. In addition, he has started a GoFundMe campaign to support his employees.

According to California labor law, employers are required to pay non-exempt workers their regular wages for hours worked up to a disaster, as well as any overtime hours at one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers are also required to pay employees at least twice a month on designated paydays.

For more information on this story, tune in to News Channel 3 at 6:00 p.m. for the full report.