It looks like the Giudices aren’t the only Real Housewives of New Jersey couple facing legal issues. Caroline Manzo’s husband, Albert Manzo, is being sued by a former employee of his restaurant/banquet hall, The Brownstone, for harassment and failing to pay overtime, according to the New York Daily News.
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Lanise Jackson, a former waitress, says that she was terminated because “she could no longer endure the racial, sexual, ethnic and country of origin epithets hurled at her hourly.” She is suing Albert and Tommy Manzo (the estranged husband of RHONJ cast member Dina Manzo).
The disgruntled waitress also said that the catering hall was “filthy,” “unhygienic” and “roach infested.” And that was on top of all of the racist comments she said she had to endure.
“Are you blind?” Tommy Manzo allegedly yelled at her, as quoted in the lawsuit documents. “What are you, Chinese? Open your eyes.”
In addition to the hostile work environment, Jackson claims that she would often work more than 40 hours a week but was never compensated with overtime pay.
“The allegations are just horrible,” Jackson’s lawyer, Mark Mullick, said. “All kinds of racial stuff.”
Lanise worked at The Brownstone for two separate stints for only a few months at a time. She said she went back after leaving the first time because she needed a job so she could take care of her family.
Albert Manzo said that he was “appalled” by the lawsuit, saying that it came “out of the blue.”
“I’ve never spoken to any employee in that manner,” Albert said. “This is the most insane thing I’ve ever dealt with. I’m seriously thinking about launching a countersuit. She is defaming me. It’s almost like she has nothing better to do. I can’t wait for this to go to court. She’ll be perjuring herself.”
Jackson is “suing for damages compensable through New Jersey labor law including, but not limited to, compensatory and punitive damages, lost wages, emotional distress and legal fees.”
This isn’t the first time the Manzos have been sued for unpaid overtime. According to The Wrap, Sandy Fernandez, another former employee, sued the brothers for the same thing.
Caroline and her husband aren’t returning for another season of RHONJ. Instead, they will star in their Bravo spin-off, with their three adult children, called Manzo’d with Children.
(Image and videos courtesy of Bravo)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
