Since 2009, plaintiff Mahta Sharif, a woman in her 30s, worked for Mehusa Inc., an exporter of U.S. butter to its parent company in Iran. Upon her hire in 2009, the owner promised Sharif a certain salary amount. However, she claimed that she was not paid the agreed upon amount or for overtime work performed. She also claimed that in 2011, Mehusa replaced her with a male employee. Sharif sued Mehusa for unpaid general and overtime wages, and for violating California’s Equal Pay Act. Sharif claimed that upon her hire in 2009, the owner promised her a certain salary amount, including an acquisition fee, which the company failed to pay her. She also claimed she worked overtime, for which she was not paid. In addition, she claimed the company committed gender discrimination in 2011, when it replaced her with a male employee of equal skill and whom the company hired for the same job, but at higher wages. Mehusa disputed all of Sharif’s allegations. It claimed that Sharif was paid as promised and that she did not work overtime. It also claimed that Sharif was a simple secretary, as compared to the male employee, who was more qualified and hired for a managerial position., Sharif sought recovery of $523,391.54 in unpaid general and overtime wages, as well as back wages and liquidated damages on her gender discrimination claim.