A former employee of a New York City nail salon has filed a lawsuit alleging serious violations of labor laws, including unpaid wages and lack of overtime compensation. The complaint was filed by Taurina Bonilla Peralta, also known as Alexa, on February 19, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Onni Nails Inc and its owner Bin Li.
According to the complaint, Alexa worked at Onni Nails as a manicurist and spa masseuse from April 18, 2021, until February 3, 2026. During her employment, she claims to have regularly worked over 40 hours per week without receiving appropriate compensation. “Defendants failed to maintain accurate recordkeeping of her hours worked,” the complaint states. Furthermore, it alleges that Alexa was paid in cash with a fixed daily salary that did not reflect overtime or minimum wage standards required by law. The plaintiff asserts that these practices were not only applied to her but extended to other employees similarly situated.
The lawsuit accuses Onni Nails Inc and Bin Li of violating both federal and state labor laws, specifically the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). These alleged violations include failure to pay minimum wage and overtime compensation as well as neglecting proper recordkeeping practices. The plaintiff’s legal team argues that these actions were willful attempts by the defendants to evade their legal obligations under labor laws.
Alexa is seeking certification for this case as a collective action on behalf of herself and other similarly situated employees. She demands judgment for unpaid wages along with liquidated damages equivalent to 100% of unpaid amounts under FLSA provisions. Additionally, she seeks statutory damages for violation of NYLL notice requirements amounting up to $5,000 plus costs and attorney fees.
Represented by Michael Faillace & Associates P.C., Alexa is pursuing justice not only for herself but also aims to bring attention to systemic issues within her former workplace affecting numerous employees. The case is presided over by Judge [Name], bearing Case ID: 1:26-cv-01419.
Source: 126cv01419_Taurina_Bonilla_v_Onni_Nails_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
