Monthly Archives: August 2020

Lawsuit on the Menu

Forced to shut down

Restaurants, eateries, and bars in New York City are allegedly receiving less than fair or equal treatment by the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA).  While one establishment received a liquor license suspension after 30 warnings or violations, the liquor license for another restaurant was revoked after only one violation.  One of the restaurants that has been handed a liquor license suspension is fighting back, claiming the SLA conducted a hollow investigation and did not uphold the rules of due process.  The restaurant is Cloister Café, located in the East Village. Continue reading →

Suing Over Septic

Homeowner’s nightmare

Updating and repairing a house comes with the job of being a homeowner.  While some homes undergo massive remodels, others are subject to minor aesthetic alterations.  Replacing the existing septic system or hot water heater are not exciting projects, but they may be necessary to keep up with building codes or the basic functioning of the home.  Donald Woods is one such homeowner who was required by the town of Southampton, NY to update his home due to an apparent permit that was not acquired in the mid-1960’s when the second story to the home was built.  Woods purchased the home in 2003.  In order to bring the home up to code, Woods was instructed to install a new and improved septic system that would reduced nitrogen contribution. Continue reading →

Grab Your Margaritas, the Lawsuit is Over

Will it help the economy?

The parties involved in a lawsuit, which stalled the building of a Margaritaville resort in Fort Myers Beach, FL, have come to an agreement.  The plaintiffs in the case alleged that the construction and plan for the resort was arguably unconstitutional and would lead to a negative impact due to its size and density.  This lawsuit, however, was not the sole complaint about the project, as other lawsuits in the past have been filed in an attempt to stop the development.  Naturally, the litigation costs required of the lawsuits have hindered the financing of the project itself.  Despite any downfalls or roadblocks that the lawsuits have caused, the plan to create the resort is now underway. Continue reading →

Pumped for Compensation

Guilty of underserving?

This is the second time in recent months that restaurant owners, Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd, were named in a lawsuit concerning unpaid wages.  In the first most recent lawsuit, filed in January, the owners were accused by one of their former employees, Adam Pierce Antoine, for adjusting time records to show less time worked.  The plaintiff also claims that if employees worked any overtime hours per day or more than 40 hours in a week, they were not lawfully compensated. At the end of July, both Vanderpump and Todd were named in a new lawsuit of a similar nature. This class action was filed by former hostess, Olivia Hanson, who alleges that herself and other employees were inadequately compensated for overtime worked and were not allotted appropriate breaks.  While the two lawsuits are still ongoing, the claims mentioned in each are fairly comparable. Continue reading →