Auburndale Eatery Must Pay More Than $300K in Back Wages

The owners of an Auburndale Greek restaurant were forced to pay more than $300,000 in back wages and damages to employees after the U.S. Department of Labor found that the eatery had underpaid them over a period of three years.

Peter and Paul Theodoropoulos, who own Mythos Authentic Greek Cuisine, had to pay $329,000 to a total 21 employees who had been underpaid between August 2008 and August 2011, according to the Department of Labor.

The owners were not at the restaurant Monday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.

The Department of Labor’s investigation found that wait staff were not paid any wages and worked for tips only, while busboys and kitchen staff were paid a fixed shift rate, but not overtime, for working more than 40 hours per week.

“Unfortunately, the minimum wage, overtime pay and record-keeping violations that were found at this restaurant are all too common in the restaurant industry,” said Maria Rosado, the Labor Department’s district director for New York City. “This employer’s failure to pay wages required by the FLSA negatively impacts the workers who work without pay, their families and their competitors, who pay lawful wages.”

The eatery’s owners must also pay a $7,100 civil money penalty as well as post an FLSA notice in the workplace to inform employees of their rights.