Stamped Complaint – 13 Civ. 6530 (reduced size)
On September 17, 2013, Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP and Outten & Golden, LLP filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on behalf of the entertainers/dancers at three prominent New York City Gentlemen’s Clubs. This class action lawsuit seeks to recover damages for unpaid minimum wages, overtime pay, spread-of-hours pay, unlawfully retained and/or distributed tips, unlawful deductions, and uniform-related expenses.
The entertainers/dancers at New York Dolls Gentlemen’s Club, Private Eyes Gentlemen’s Club, and Flashdancers Gentlemen’s Club (collectively, “The Clubs”), allege that The Clubs failed to pay them any wages because they were misclassified as Independent Contractors. With respect to overtime pay, the plaintiffs allege that they worked up to 50 hours per workweek without being compensated one and one half times their hourly rate of pay for the hours worked in excess of 40. Also, The Clubs failed to pay them one additional hour pay at the minimum wage rate for shifts spanning 10 or more hours. The Clubs force the entertainers to pay a “House Fee” of $40 to $100 per shift in order to dance at The Clubs. Furthermore, The Clubs required their entertainers/dancers to share their tips with employees who did not engage in customer service, such as, the “House Mom,” the DJ and the private room hostesses. Moreover, if a customer uses “Dance Dollars”, the entertainers are deducted 20% when this Club currency is exchanged for real money. Finally, The Clubs required the entertainers/dancers to purchase club approved uniforms and failed to reimburse them for maintaining their uniforms. We are seeking to represent all entertainers/dancers employed by New York Dolls Gentlemen’s Club, Private Eyes Gentlemen’s Club, and Flashdancers Gentlemen’s Club within the past six years. Eligible employees should call us, (212) 300-0375, to join the case, as there is a running statute of limitations.