Back Pay Handed Out To Workers At Vazzy’s Cucina In Shelton: CTDOL

SHELTON, CT — Vazzy’s Cucina In Shelton will pay 20 employees more than $73,000 in back pay after it was found to have violated state labor laws, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.

The restaurant is one of three "Vazzy's" establishments that will have to cough up back pay; the others are Vazzano's Four Seasons Banquets, LLC in Stratford, and Vazzy's 19th Hole in Fairfield.

In total, the state recovered more than $90,000 in back wages for employees, following a year-long investigation by the labor department's Division of Wage and Workplace Standards.

According to state officials, the investigation discovered "widespread instances of labor violations that included failure to maintain lawful payroll processes and employee time records; failure to pay employees the minimum wage or overtime; and failure to provide meal periods as required under the law."

The restaurants are owned by John Vazzano, who recently had separate criminal charges dropped against him.

State Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said, "Connecticut's workforce is the backbone of our economy; it's imperative that workers are compensated justly, treated fairly, and able to seek recourse for infringement on their rights as employees. The Wage and Workplace investigators have been diligent and thorough, I commend them for their work on behalf of these employees and for ensuring these workers are made whole again.”

Added Thomas Wydra, director of the Division of Wage and Workplace Standards, "This was an expansive investigation with 57 employees receiving back wages owed to them. The investigators did an outstanding job recovering these wages and ensuring employees are being treated fairly in accordance with the law."

From the Department of Labor announcement:

CTDOL recovered $73,784.41 in back wages for 20 employees and levied a $7,500 civil penalty against Vazzy’s Cucina; recovered $16,030.89 in back wages for 33 employees and levied a $4,800 civil penalty against Vazzano’s Four Seasons Banquet, LLC; and recovered $978.94 in back wages for 4 employees and levied a $900 civil penalty against Vazzy’s 19th Hole.

In October, CTDOL announced that nearly $80,000 in back wages and $20,000 in civil penalty were assessed after an investigation into Vazzy’s Restaurant, Bridgeport.

There were no previous complaints filed with the Division about any of the restaurants.
The CT Department of Labor Division of Wage and Workplace Standards protects about 1.6 million workers in Connecticut by enforcing workplace laws, including fair wage and employment standards. Upon receiving a complaint, investigators begin an inquiry, may audit employment, payroll, and other records, and may issue Stop Work Orders to protect workers. Companies found to have violated labor laws are subject to both criminal and civil fines and/or penalties. The agency encourages employees who suspect labor law violations to report them through the CTDOL website