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A former Wells Fargo worker’s fight against one of America’s banking giants has reached a dramatic turning point, with a Georgia federal judge confirming a settlement in a case that blended wage disputes and family-leave retaliation into a legal storm.

Judge Confirms Case Closure

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson formally closed Malcolm Smith’s Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act suit against Wells Fargo. The closure came the same day both sides informed the court they had struck what was described as an “amicable settlement.”

But in a twist befitting a courtroom drama, Smith has since gone silent. According to filings, the plaintiff—without explanation—has cut off communication with his attorneys and has yet to sign the finalized settlement papers. Judge Johnson has given the parties until Oct. 9 to submit a joint status report, leaving the outcome dangling like a cliffhanger.

Allegations of Off-the-Clock Work

Smith’s legal battle began in April 2024. In his complaint, he alleged that Wells Fargo failed to pay him for an extra 15 to 30 minutes of work performed off the clock each day. While those minutes may seem minor, compounded over weeks and months, they painted a picture of unpaid labor hidden in the margins of corporate time sheets.

Retaliation After FMLA Leave

Adding fuel to the fire, Smith further accused Wells Fargo of retaliating against him after he exercised his federally protected right to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. According to the suit, the bank allegedly obstructed his ability to do his job once he returned from leave—an act he claimed was punishment cloaked as policy enforcement.

Settlement Clouds the Ending

Though both sides reached common ground, the unresolved paperwork and Smith’s sudden disappearance cast shadows over what should have been a clear conclusion. For now, the Wells Fargo FMLA Suit remains a case where the ink has yet to dry, and the legal ending still waits to be written.