Mercedes Aida Rios v. Structural Preservation Systems, LLC et al .
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
I. Background
This is an employment action. Plaintiff Mercedes Aida Rios (“Plaintiff”) worked as a full-time Project Assistant for Defendants Structural Preservation Systems LLC and Structural Group Inc. (“Defendants”) in Orange County, California. Complaint (“Compl.”) (Dkt. 5-1) ¶ 12.
In April 2025, Plaintiff reported an alleged labor violation to Manager Kiana Walters concerning unpaid overtime wages. Id. ¶ 13. Walters had refused to approve Plaintiff’s overtime hours despite prior contradictory directives on the approval process. Id. From this incident until her termination on July 7, 2025, Plaintiff alleges that Walters became overly critical of Plaintiff’s performance. Id. ¶ 14. Plaintiff also alleges that Walters reprimanded Plaintiff but not other employees for engaging in similar conduct. Id. Plaintiff alleges the following causes of action against Defendants and Does 1-10: Whistleblower Retaliation and Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy. Id. ¶¶ 19-31.
CIVIL MINUTES – GENERAL
Case No. 8:25-cv-02340-DOC-DFM Date: October 31, 2025 Page
Plaintiff originally filed suit in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on October…