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Back in September, a group of nine former Au Fudge employees filed a lawsuit alleging their employer participated in wage theft, missed meal breaks, and rest breaks. Yesterday, the plaintiffs dropped their case against Jessica Biel’s kid-centric West Hollywood restaurant.
Au Fudge’s former Director of Events manager Alexandra Desage and plaintiffs were asking for damages and lost wages, but the group filed a dismissal without explanation in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday. According to WEHOville, they could reopen lawsuit at a later date, but it’s unclear whether the parties settled out of court, or simply dropped the case altogether.
In the initial deposition, plaintiffs asserted that all gratuities from private events should be distributed to waitstaff. Desage alleged that Au Fudge management never handed over the standard 22% gratuity to staff. Desage allegedly confronted Au Fudge’s co-owner Jon Rollo (who is also chef, owner, and co-founder of Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop) about the missing tips. The plaintiffs claimed to have lost out on $430,100 in lost wages, $31,549 in missed rest breaks, and were also asking for $1,000,000 in punitive damages.
The plaintiff’s lawyer Keith Davidson claimed Au Fudge took advantage of employees. Au Fudge’s attorneys saw things differently and believed former staff were only interested in a money grab.
Jessica Biel opened Au Fudge in 2016 ago to cater to children and adults. The celebrity-filled restaurant keeps a restaurant, separate play area, along with an on-site babysitting service.
