PHILADELPHIA — A former cook is suing a restaurant chain, alleging she was never paid fairly and that she was wrongfully terminated for her health conditions.
Lesli Iacovoni filed a lawsuit on March 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against MLM Inc., MLM II Inc., MLM Inc., Lee-Dan Corporation, and Marylee Cook, citing violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the defendants own three restaurants, doing business as “Black Horse Tavern” and “Top Kats Pub & Grill.” The plaintiff was employed by the defendants for approximately five years as a cook. Iacovoni claims that she regularly worked in excess of 40 hours in one week but was never paid overtime compensation in addition to never getting paid her entire hourly rate by check.
During her employment, the plaintiff allegedly suffered from diabetes, kidney failure, and other illnesses. In May 2015, Iacovoni was hospitalized and was reportedly required to take leaves of absence and repeatedly fainted at work. On May 30, 2015, the plaintiff claims she was fired by the defendant in reaction to her health conditions.
Iacovoni seeks compensation for all lost wages and benefits, liquidated and/or punitive damages, equitable and legal relief, costs, expense, and attorney’s fees. She is represented by Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Kaprf & Cerutti PC, in Bensalem, PA.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01460-JHS