Gerard Butler Sued

http://www.tmz.com/2011/08/16/shin-bbq-hollywood-restaurant-gerad-butler-danny-masterson-chris-masterson-laura-prepon/


Gerard Butler Sued
Ex-Workers Claim
They're Owed Overtime Pay


Gerard Butler and a slew of other stars have been sued for allegedly stiffing two former employees out of overtime pay at a Hollywood restaurant the celebs co-own.

The ex-workers -- a cook and a dishwasher -- at Shin BBQ filed the suit today in Los Angeles County Superior Court ... claiming the owners cheated them out of wages, rest time, and meal breaks.

Shin BBQ is a popular Korean barbeque joint in Hollywood ... co-owned by Gerard, Danny and Chris Masterson, Laura Prepon, and several others including Steve Aoki -- whose father Rocky founded Benihana.

The workers are asking for their back pay, other damages, and an order forcing the restaurant owners to open their payroll books.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/idUS21523490720110816


Gerard Butler, Laura Prepon, Danny Masterson Sued Over Shin BBQ


Here's a reason actors shouldn't invest in restaurants.

Two former employees of he celebrity-owned Shin BBQ are suing the Hollywood restaurant, backed by several stars of the big and small screen, and acusing it of failing to pay overtime, failing to pay for rest periods, faiilng to pay for meal periods, failing to pay minimum wage, unfair competition and vilating the fair labor standards act.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday, lists "Law Abiding Citizen" star Gerard Butler, "That '70s Show" stars Laura Prepon and Danny Masterson and "Malcolm in the Middle" star Chris Masterson as owners of Shin BBQ.

Owner Simon Shin also is being sued, along with Mark Ronson and Steve Aoki.

Gilberto Hernandez, a former cook, and Eder Martinez, a former dishwasher, claim they were treated badly -- that they worked more than 8 hours per day and more than 40 hours per week, but didn't get overtime.

"As a general rule," the lawsuit says, Hernandez and Martinez "were not permitted to take a 10-minute rest break in the morning and a 10-minute rest break in the afternoon," nor were they allowed to take a half-hour off for meals every five hours.

The lawsuit says that Hernandez "suffered damages in the amount of approximately $28,015," and that Martinez "suffered damages in the amount of approximately $5,812" in overtime alone.

On top of that, they say the Korean barbecue didn't pay minimum wage for "split shifts."

Their lawyers, David A. Mallen and Kevin A. Lipeles wrote that their clients "seek to enforce important rights affecting the public interest."

They continue, "the prompt payment of overtime is a fundamental public policy."

So they're asking for the money they say they're due, plus punitive damages -- money assessed to punish the restaurant and its owners for what the lawyers allege is unlawful behavior.

Representatives for the actors and the restaurant were unavailable for comment Tuesday evening.

It's unclear if they were at dinner.

Dallas wrote:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/idUS21523490720110816


Gerard Butler, Laura Prepon, Danny Masterson Sued Over Shin BBQ


Here's a reason actors shouldn't invest in restaurants.

Two former employees of he celebrity-owned Shin BBQ are suing the Hollywood restaurant, backed by several stars of the big and small screen, and acusing it of failing to pay overtime, failing to pay for rest periods, faiilng to pay for meal periods, failing to pay minimum wage, unfair competition and vilating the fair labor standards act.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday, lists "Law Abiding Citizen" star Gerard Butler, "That '70s Show" stars Laura Prepon and Danny Masterson and "Malcolm in the Middle" star Chris Masterson as owners of Shin BBQ.

Owner Simon Shin also is being sued, along with Mark Ronson and Steve Aoki.

Gilberto Hernandez, a former cook, and Eder Martinez, a former dishwasher, claim they were treated badly -- that they worked more than 8 hours per day and more than 40 hours per week, but didn't get overtime.

"As a general rule," the lawsuit says, Hernandez and Martinez "were not permitted to take a 10-minute rest break in the morning and a 10-minute rest break in the afternoon," nor were they allowed to take a half-hour off for meals every five hours.

The lawsuit says that Hernandez "suffered damages in the amount of approximately $28,015," and that Martinez "suffered damages in the amount of approximately $5,812" in overtime alone.

On top of that, they say the Korean barbecue didn't pay minimum wage for "split shifts."

Their lawyers, David A. Mallen and Kevin A. Lipeles wrote that their clients "seek to enforce important rights affecting the public interest."

They continue, "the prompt payment of overtime is a fundamental public policy."

So they're asking for the money they say they're due, plus punitive damages -- money assessed to punish the restaurant and its owners for what the lawyers allege is unlawful behavior.

Representatives for the actors and the restaurant were unavailable for comment Tuesday evening.

It's unclear if they were at dinner.

Wonder if these guys are legal. If they are I WILL BE surprised. These over here in Burbank at the cafes and resturants are not... give take 8 out of 10..... and the majority are lazy, food is nasty not done or the service is bad.

Dallas wrote:

"Representatives for the actors and the restaurant were unavailable for comment Tuesday evening.

It's unclear if they were at dinner."

Luvthatgerryjuice, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the statement about this incident being a reason why actors shouldn't invest in restaurants was one Dallas wrote. It looked to me to just be the opening line or the title of the article she was posting. But maybe you know that. Sorry if I misunderstood.

LoneWolf wrote:

Wonder if these guys are legal. If they are I WILL BE surprised. These over here in Burbank at the cafes and resturants are not... give take 8 out of 10..... and the majority are lazy, food is nasty not done or the service is bad.

"These over here in Burbank..." Who exactly are these "these" that you are referring to?

Or maybe i misunderstood nola. Still a good point though. Its not always the best idea to invest in a place when you dont really know whats going on day to day. I read fairly recently that chef ramsey was being sued also because female worker was being harassed by the men at his nyc restaurant, even though he no longer owns it. But he started it so theres still an association.

LadyNOLA wrote:

Luvthatgerryjuice, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the statement about this incident being a reason why actors shouldn't invest in restaurants was one Dallas wrote. It looked to me to just be the opening line or the title of the article she was posting. But maybe you know that. Sorry if I misunderstood.

LoneWolf wrote:

Wonder if these guys are legal. If they are I WILL BE surprised. These over here in Burbank at the cafes and resturants are not... give take 8 out of 10..... and the majority are lazy, food is nasty not done or the service is bad.

"These over here in Burbank..." Who exactly are these "these" that you are referring to?

"These" meaning the cafe/resteraunt workers over here in Burbank. 9 out of 10 do not have their green card (2 live in the complex by mine) and as they have said because they don't have their card,not much can be done....if they say anything they face having to leave.... It does not matter legal or not under the Labor and Workmans Comp guidelines and regs you do have some rights.... it will be interesting to see how this pans out. Sorry, should have clarified more...

Funny how people only sue those with lots of money. Has nothing to do with fairness and justice. They're not suing the manager or head cook, who make the day-to-day rules.

True observation julie