Opinion ID: 2539485
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Cabinet's Demand for Payment from TECO

Text: TECO first argues that it was deprived of a protected interest when the Cabinet demanded that it pay back wages and civil penalties. Specifically, TECO asserts that the Cabinet's demands for payment deprived it of a protected property interest in the form of money. We disagree. TECO clearly has a protected property interest in its business assets, including the money in its accounts. However, we cannot find that the Cabinet's demands for payment of back wages and civil penalties actually deprived TECO of money. Despite its claim of financial deprivation, TECO cites no specific monetary losses resulting from the Cabinet's actions. To the contrary, TECO admits that it has not paid any amount towards the back wages and civil penalties assessed by the Cabinet. Additionally, TECO concedes that the Cabinet has not attached, garnished, or otherwise seized any of TECO's property or assets to secure its claims. Simply put, TECO lost no money or assets due to the Cabinet's demands that it pay back wages and civil penalties. [12] This lack of deprivation results directly from the procedural safeguards written into the prevailing wage law. In the event that a contractor disputes the Cabinet's claims for back wages or civil penalties, the Cabinet has no independent authority to collect any amount from the contractor. Instead, the Cabinet must file a civil suit to enforce its claims. Specifically, KRS 337.550 and KRS 336.985(3) require the Cabinet must bring a civil action to collect back wages and civil penalties, respectively. Thus, so long as the Cabinet follows the procedures set forth in the statutes, it cannot deprive a contractor of property without court intervention. Such was the case here. Under these factual circumstances, we cannot find that the Cabinet's requests for payment deprived TECO of money or any other business assets. Accordingly, we cannot find that the Cabinet's actions deprived it of a protected property interest.