A former TapouT sales representative who filed suit over a wage dispute with the Grand Terrace-based sportswear company was awarded $840,000 Monday by a Los Angeles Superior Court jury.

The panel deliberated for about three hours before finding in favor of Michelle Thomas in her wrongful termination case.

The panel also concluded that TapouT acted with malice, triggering a second phase of the trial -- scheduled to begin tomorrow -- to determine if punitive damages should be assessed against the company.

Thomas filed her suit in October 2008, maintaining she was not paid the commissions she was promised and was denied overtime for working as many as 70- plus hours some weeks during her eight months on the job.

From staff and wire reports.