BELLEVILLE – A class action lawsuit alleges Maesto Consulting Services violates employees' privacy under state law by requiring them to use a fingerprint reader system to clock in and out of work.
Plaintiffs Natalie Watson, Hariett Rodgers, Ervin Perry, Felecia Williams, Christa Hammond, Tonika Smith, Attla Dupree, Idella Hill and Victoria Brewer, filed a class action lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Maesto Consulting Services, LLC, citing invasion of privacy, negligence and carelessness in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
According to the lawsuit, the defendants worked at various facilities across Illinois owned and operated by Maesto Consulting Services. They allege that during their employment, they were required to use a fingerprint reader system to clock in and out of work.
The lawsuit states that BIPA requires that prior to collecting biometric data, such as fingerprints, companies must inform employees in writing that biometric data will be collected and stored. It also states that employees must be informed in writing why the biometric data is being collected and how long it will be stored. Companies must also receive a written release from the employee for the collection of biometric data.
The lawsuit alleges that Maesto invades the privacy of its employees by collecting and storing their fingerprints without informed consent. It claims the company never received a release from them allowing the collection of their fingerprints, and that they never authorized the company to collect their fingerprints for this use.
The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages for themselves and the proposed class, plus court costs, interest, attorney fees and any other relief the court deems proper. They are also asking the court to issue an order requiring the defendant to cease the collection of biometric data without informed written consent.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney John Baricevic of Chatham & Baricevic in Belleville and John J. Driscoll, Paul W. Johnson, and Matthew J. Limoli of The Driscoll Law Firm, LLC in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0919