Tom Colicchio's Craftbar Accused of Taking Tips

121208tom.jpgCelebrity chef Tom Colicchio, owner of Craft, Craftbar and Craftsteak, and a familiar face to millions for Top Chef, is being sued in Federal court by a former waitress who accuses his company of denying employees a portion of their tips and distributing the earnings among supervisors. Nessa Rapone, a Brooklyn resident who worked at Craftbar from March to May 2007, says the company also "failed to pay proper overtime compensation," and illegally retaliated by firing her when she objected to the policies. According to City Room, Rapone's lawyers say they hope other Craft employees will come forward so the can certify the lawsuit as a nationwide class action. (There are Craft restaurants in Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Ledyard, Connecticut.) Colicchio has not yet released a statement.

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Did he think only Asian people get punished for violating employment laws?

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Douche, because you don't make enough at your ridiculously overpriced restaurants, and now you're ripping off wait staff?

but he looks like such a sweet guy, he wouldn't crap on the working class, would he?

Y'all think Tom himself is skimming off the top? He probably had no idea. This happens at a lot of restaurants. They're not supposed to, but managers often take a little chunk. I lived with it for two and a half years. This chick worked there for two months? Go work somewhere else. I'm pretty sure she's not destitute if she can get a waiting job at Craftbar.

I worked for the man years ago -- there's no truth to this. While every other restaurant boss was robbing their people blind, Colicchio was honest and fair. Every penny we earned, we got, plus healthcare and benefits which is more than I can say for most waitressing jobs.

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