CELEBRITY CHEF: SUED FOR CHEATING EMPLOYEES!

Mario Batali is one of the most famous faces on the Food Network. He is also one of the most enduring personalities in the culinary world. He is known as the master of Italian cuisine and he became a household name through his line of cook ware and cook books. He owns some of the world's most famous restaurants from Singapore to Las Angeles. And he has recently settled a lawsuit that alleges that he and his business partner have been pilfering profits out of the tip jars of his lowest employees. The suit alleges that Batli's restaurants had a policy of skimming 4-5% from the tips at the end of every night. Below minimum wage salaries are common in the restaurant industry and wait staffs rely heavily on tips to make ends meat. Batali by contrast hosts, The Chew, a syndicated show on ABC. He is also an Iron Chef on one of the Food Network's most popular programs. It remains to be seen how these revelations will affect his popularity. However, the fact that the superstar chef would steal money from servers that make his culinary empire possible can't be good for business! Batali and his business partner, settled the lawsuit which represents over 1,100 employees, for 5.25 Million dollars. The sizable settlement, raises the question; How much Money Did Batali and his partner take from their poorest employees?