Bridgeport Restaurant Fined $100K For Labor Violations

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The owner of a Bridgeport restaurant will pay nearly $100,000 in civil fines and back wages to dozens of employees as a result of widespread violations, according to The Connecticut Post. The penalties were levied by the state Department of Labor against Vazzy's restaurant, owned by John Vazzano.

The settlement only applies to the restaurant's Broadbridge Road location. The labor department is also investigating four other Vazzano-owned establishments: Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford, Vazzy’s Cucina in Shelton, Vazzy’s Osteria in Monroe, and Vazzy’s 19th Hole in Fairfield, according to The Connecticut Post.

Vazzano, of Trumbull, was charged in February with bribery, hindering prosecution, and interfering with police.

The Department of Labor probe quickly expanded in March after it started at the Bridgeport restaurant following accusations that Vazzano interfered with an investigation of sexual assault involving two longtime employees of the business.

See related: Fairfield Restaurant Investigated In Labor Department Probe