Twenty employees of Interplay Entertainment Corp. have now filed complaints with the state labor agency because they have not been paid for weeks. The complaints spurred an investigation of Interplay's payroll records by the state's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

Interplay, known for computer games such as "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II," (How funny is this? - VD) wasn't paying its bills and was forced out of its Irvine headquarters this week by its landlord. The company had let its workers' compensation insurance lapse, causing the state to shut the business down two weeks ago until Interplay renewed coverage a few days later. Employees say that they haven't been paid since April.

Herve Caen, Interplay's CEO, missed two meetings with the state investigators this week, said Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the California Labor commissioner. The state has now ordered Caen to show up for a meeting Monday, equipped with Interplay's payroll records. Caen told investigators Thursday that he no longer has access to the records because they are on computers that have been put in storage, Fryer said. "This doesn't release him from his past responsibilities," Fryer said. "It seems to me that he could just plug in a computer and get the records."

Caen could not be reached Friday for comment. Earlier this week, Interplay spokesman Luke Haase said the company is still seeking more funding. Paying employees will be a priority, he said.

If Caen fails to deliver the payroll records and pay employees, the state will move forward and hold formal hearings, Fryer said. The state could also put liens on Interplay's assets or turn the case over to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
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