A former employee has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, alleging a breach of contract and multiple violations of labor laws. On November 12, 2025, Stephen Buffamante lodged a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan against THYIM Inc., Rechester Easterly, and Cammry Cochren. Buffamante claims he was not compensated for eighteen months of full-time work.
The complaint details Buffamante’s employment history with THYIM Inc., beginning on May 30, 2023, when he was hired as a Human Resources Manager with an annual salary of $70,000. By September 2023, he had been promoted to Human Resources Director and later to Chief Operating Officer in October 2023. Despite these promotions and increased responsibilities, Buffamante alleges that he was never paid for his work. He asserts that Defendants Easterly and Cochren promised payment once THYIM Inc.’s applications were operational and generating revenue—a promise that went unfulfilled even after the company began making money.
Buffamante’s legal action is grounded in several accusations against the defendants. The primary claim is the failure to pay minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as Buffamante alleges he received no monetary compensation throughout his tenure at THYIM Inc. Furthermore, he accuses the defendants of failing to pay overtime wages despite working over forty hours per week at times. The complaint also includes charges of retaliation under FLSA provisions; Buffamante states that his employment was terminated shortly after he protested about unpaid wages.
Additionally, Buffamante claims breach of contract and unjust enrichment, arguing that there was an implied agreement for compensation which was breached by THYIM Inc. He further accuses the company of fraudulently inducing him to continue working without pay by assuring him compensation would follow once financial conditions improved. Finally, Buffamante alleges violations under Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (IWOWA) for not receiving minimum wage or overtime pay as required by state law.
In terms of relief sought from the court, Buffamante requests back pay along with liquidated damages equivalent to unpaid wages. He seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and mental anguish caused by this ordeal. Additionally, exemplary damages are requested as a punitive measure against future similar conduct by the defendants. The plaintiff also demands attorneys’ fees and costs incurred during litigation.
Representing Stephen Buffamante is attorney Hessam Parzivand from The Parzivand Law Firm PLLC based in Sugar Land, Texas. The case has been assigned Case ID No: 1:25-cv-1423 but does not yet list a presiding judge.
Source: 125cv01423_Stephen_Buffamante_v_ThyimComplaint_Southern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
