SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Casselberry woman called 9 Investigates looking for help after she said her employer was refusing to pay her.
The woman claimed that RenterPerks, a Winter Springs company, was holding her money illegally.
Channel 9's Karla Ray stopped by the company's office several times and finally reached the president of the company, who said he will pay the woman Tuesday. The woman told Ray that she will only believe that when she has the money in her hands.
Sheree Saltos said she thought she found the position that would help give her kids a happy holiday.
"The first week I worked for them it was fine, everything was fine. Basically I made close to $1,400 in sales, everything looked legitimate," said Saltos.
Saltos said she was then in an accident and had to miss work on a pay day. She said since that time the advertising company has given her the runaround when it comes to her paycheck.
"They are just refusing to pay me, pretty much," said Saltos.
Saltos said the only payment she has received has been $200 in cash.
Ray learned that Saltos isn't alone. She discovered online postings from former employees who claim to be owed money.
Ray was able to contact the company's president, Dave Rupley, by phone.
"What do you say to these employees who say they've done work for you but haven't been paid,?" Ray asked Rupley.
Rupley told Ray that any employees who haven't been paid were fired for stealing or bringing drugs into the office, even though he never filed a police report making those claims.
He said he would make arrangements to pay Saltos next week, though it's too late for Christmas for her children.
"It's just not right," said Saltos.
Ray learned that it isn't the first time Rupley has been accused of not paying employees.
In 2003 Rupley went to prison for grand theft, writing bad checks and organized fraud.
A former employee told detectives Rupley wrote her a check tied to a false account number.
Ray also found business owners who claimed to have paid for ad services with RenterPerks. They made complaints on YouTube, to the Better Business Bureau and with the Attorney General's Office.
Ray was not able to find an active business license for the Winter Springs office.
Rupley was not able to explain to Ray why there didn't appear to be a license.
"It's really sad to hear a company like this operating under these circumstances. It's just, it's not right," said Saltos.