UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The owner of a popular small restaurant chain stands accused of withholding more than $8,000 from five of his employees, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in an indictment on Thursday.
Patrick Griffin, the 71-year-old owner of Au Jus, was indicted on Thursday on charges of grand larceny by wage theft, one count of scheme to defraud, and two counts of failure to pay wages in accordance with the labor law.
Au Jus is an Oklahoma-inspired barbecue restaurant with locations on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights, and East Harlem. The Upper West Side eatery is located at 2621 Broadway, near West 99th Street.
The eateries serve up five-hour Italian-herbed Porchetta, pasture-raised lamb, Angus roast beef, fried chicken, short ribs, brisket, pulled pork, mac'n cheese, cornbread, southern banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and more.
According to prosecutors, Griffin deprived Au Jus workers of wages, beginning in January of 2025.
When workers complained to Griffin, he made promises to pay them, but didn't follow through until workers were forced to seek out other employment, Bragg said.
Then, Griffin would take on new employees, and the cycle repeated, Bragg said.
Once these employees left the restaurant, they continued to follow up with Griffin, requesting their wages in text messages, which were largely ignored, Bragg said.
"As alleged, Patrick Griffin, owner of the popular Au Jus restaurant, took advantage of his workers and stole their hard-earned wages while they provided physically demanding labor," Bragg said.
In one instance, Griffin told a former employee that he would not be paid unless he came back to work, but when the worker complied, Griffin continued to withhold wages, Bragg said.
In another instance, Griffin demanded that a worker sign a false document that claimed he did not have a government ID in order to get his wages.
"Griffin was allegedly vacationing in Europe while his employees were begging him for their money that they earned and need to support their families," Bragg said. "An honest day's work deserves an honest day's pay, and we will prosecute bad bosses who deprive their workers of wages."
Eventually, Griffin was reported to the Worker Protection Unit hotline at the District Attorney's office.
Bragg said that the investigation is ongoing.
For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.
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