Kevin Green and Robert Lee have filed a lawsuit that could have significant implications for labor rights within the residential apartment management industry. On January 20, 2026, Kevin Green and Robert Lee submitted a complaint to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan against Baric Harborview, LLC, Baric Fairplain, LLC, and Barry Chernawsky. The plaintiffs allege that these defendants violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by failing to pay overtime wages to their hourly employees.
The lawsuit paints a troubling picture of employment practices at Baric Harborview and Baric Fairplain properties. According to the complaint, both Green and Lee were employed as non-exempt hourly workers responsible for various maintenance tasks. Despite routinely working more than 40 hours per week, they claim they were only compensated for straight time without receiving any overtime premiums. The complaint accuses Barry Chernawsky, owner of the defendant companies, of personally instructing property managers not to approve timecards reflecting overtime hours worked. In one instance highlighted in the case, Green’s paystubs consistently showed exactly 90 hours worked over two weeks but lacked any overtime compensation.
The allegations extend beyond unpaid wages; Green also claims he faced retaliation after demanding his due compensation. The complaint details how Defendants threatened him with a frivolous lawsuit seeking attorney fees if he pursued his claims further. Additionally, Green alleges that he was prohibited from visiting friends residing at Baric Harborview properties under threat of eviction towards those friends—a move perceived as retaliatory following his complaints about unpaid wages.
In response to these grievances, Green and Lee are seeking several forms of relief from the court. They aim to recover all unpaid overtime wages along with liquidated damages—essentially doubling their claimed back pay—as well as attorney fees and litigation costs. Furthermore, Plaintiff Green seeks compensation for emotional distress caused by alleged retaliatory actions taken against him by the defendants.
Representing Kevin Green and Robert Lee is Charles R. Ash IV from Ash Law PLLC based in Novi, Michigan. The case is being heard in front of an unnamed judge under Case ID 26-cv-209.
Source: 126cv209_Kevin_Green_v_Baric_Harborview_Complaint_Western_District_of_Michigan.pdf
