Corporate Staffing - Collette Russell Ripoff Refused to pay for services as stated in contract Kenilworth Illinois

In January of 2006, I signed a contract to work as a virtual recruiter for Collette Russell of Corporate Staffing, located in Kenilworth, Illinois. I worked for Ms. Russell for 3 months, and made a placement at a client. This candidate started on April 25th. On April 17th, she agreed to pay me upon receipt of payment from the client, which is traditional. Furthermore, the contract stipulates that You will receive 50% of the amount billed to the client. Whether you supply the candidate or fill the order you will be commissioned out at 50% of the amount billed to the client. If you split the candidate or client with another associate of Corporate Staffing you would receive 25% of the 50%. Commissions are allocated to the month in which the applicant begins his or her first day of employment with CSI client. No commissions will be paid to the consultant for a specific job placement unless, and only to the extent that, CSI actually receives payment from the client with the respect to such placement. Every aspect of that agreement was fulfilled, and payment was submitted by the client on May 1, 2006.

On May 8, Ms. Russell violated our agreement and stated that I would be paid at the end of the guarantee period (60 days). On May 18, Ms. Russell stated that she was refusing to pay me. On May 22, she then stated that she would pay me at the end of the guarantee period. However, on and around the 60th day, Ms. Russell refused to answer my calls or emails.

Finally, on July 3, Ms. Russell emailed me stating that she would pay me the following week. The following week came and went with no payment. At the end of the second week, I stopped by her house, and she stated "I will take care of you" and that she was expecting a check the very next day. The following day, I stopped by her house. She stated that she had not received a check. She further stated that her bills were more important than mine, and that she understood that she was being selfish, and locked the door.

On Sunday, July 23, Ms. Russell emailed me threatening to contact who she thought was my employer and disclose information that she thought would get me fired. Upon receipt of my response, she again agreed to pay me. I offered her two options, and gave her a deadline to notify me of her choice. She did not contact me within the deadline, so I am forced to take her to court.

I reiterate that I worked for Ms. Russell for three months and was not paid one dime for my recruiting efforts, despite working 60 or more hours per week. I would like to further explain that Ms. Russell lives in a premier neighborhood on the North Shore of the Chicago area, and drives a hybrid Lexus SUV. Furthermore, she spent over a week in Jamaica with her daughter this April, and owns a timeshare in Mexico. She owes me $2681.25 for the placement that I made.

Documentation can be provided to support dates and allegations.

Elisabeth
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.