Temple v. Tec-Fab, Inc.

WILLIAMS, J.:

Andrew Lytle and Tec-Fab, Inc., appeal a circuit court order awarding treble damages to Richard Temple for the withholding of wages in violation of the Payment of Wages Act. See S.C.Code Ann. §§ 41-10-10 to -110 (1986 & Supp. 2005). We reverse. 1

FACTS

In December 2000, Lytle sold Temple a fifteen percent interest in his business, Tec-Fab, Inc., for $15,000. Lytle also hired Temple to “run the shop and ... bring in some business.” They agreed Tec-Fab would pay Temple $5,000 a month for his services. Seven months later, Temple’s salary increased to $6,000 a month. In September 2002,…