In March 2024, a federal court ruled that Mike Isabella, a one-time “Top Chef” contestant and owner of a D.C. restaurant empire, must pay over $88,000 in unpaid wages to former employees of his restaurant, Requin, in addition to attorneys’ fees and costs. The class action lawsuit, certified by the court, was filed by former employees to recoup unpaid wages and overtime. Despite Chef Isabella’s public claims of Requin’s success, the restaurant shut down in December 2018 without notice. The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (“WLC”) and Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP went to court on behalf of the restaurant workers, securing this judgment to ensure they receive their rightful earnings.

 

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