Stratford Restaurant Failed To Pay Workers: CT Department Of Labor

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford restaurant is one of three businesses recently found to have violated state labor laws, including failing to pay employees, Connecticut authorities announced last week.

A yearlong investigation found that Vazzano's Four Seasons Banquets in Stratford, Vazzy's 19th Hole in Fairfield, and Vazzy's Cucina in Shelton all had widespread labor violations, according to a news release from the Connecticut Department of Labor. Vazzano's Four Seasons Banquets is a catering facility on Kenyon Street in Stratford.

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

The Department of Labor 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 workers and levied a $4,800 civil penalty against Vazzano's Four Seasons Banquets; and recovered $978.94 in back wages for four employees and levied a $900 civil penalty against Vazzy's 19th Hole, according to the news release.

In October, the department announced that nearly $80,000 in back wages and $20,000 in civil penalty were assessed after an investigation into Vazzy's Restaurant in Bridgeport, the news release said.

“Connecticut's workforce is the backbone of our economy,” State Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said. “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.”