Ex-Employees Say Mario Batali Stiffed Them Out of Tips, Overtime
Mario Batali might be in hot water. Two ex-employees have filed a possible class-action suit against the celebrity chef, claiming that for years he's been underpaying workers and bilking them out of tips and overtime.
The suit, filed today in Manhattan federal district court by two former Babbo employees, accuses Batali of violating several federal and state labor laws. In particular, the plaintiffs say Batali illegally retained some of the waitstaff's tips, violated minimum wage regulations, and failed to pay staff for overtime. The suit also names Batali's business partner, Joseph Bastianich, as a co-defendant. The suit doesn't mention whether the plaintiffs are looking for any specific amount in damages. But if you're looking for some light reading this afternoon, you'll find the court papers below.