Austin bar accused of withholding employees’ tips

[TexasTowelie]

A high-end downtown Austin bar where patrons routinely rack up tabs as high as $10,000 or more is being sued by several former employees who claim they didn’t receive all the tips they earned.

In a lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Austin, Rio is accused of “blatant violations of federal wage laws, and for theft, conversion and unjust enrichment.”

Open just nine months, the bar is accused of shorting staffers more than $500,000 in tips.

Tom Watkins, an attorney for Nate Paul, who is listed as the bar’s owner in court documents, said Paul denies all the accusations made in the suit.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/business/austin-bar-accused-of-withholding-employees-tips/nd7tm/ .

[mbperrin]

1. There are always crooks who cannot just be happy with making large amounts

of money - they have to have ALL the money.

Bastards.

[TxDemChem]

2. Hubby and I watched an episode of Bar Rescue

some time last year and saw similar behavior from the owner of another bar that I think was in Austin. I was amazed at how blatant the thievery was. I hope they force any place that has waitstaff to appropriately disperse their tips.

[Javaman]

3. Someone posted in GD a while ago, that it's better to tip in cash then on the credit receipt.

the cash tip will actually go to the wait staff that way.

apparently, tipping via a credit card allows the owners to skim.

[MicaelS]

4. I'm not going to carry cash just to tip.

I only carry about $20 at all times. I find I spend too freely when carrying lots of cash. I always pay, and tip, with my credit card when dining out. That way I, the server and the restaurant, all have proof I paid and tipped, I didn't walk a check or stiff the server, and I can control my budget better.

[Javaman]

5. To each their own. nt