COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – In response to Local 10 News’ investigation into the eviction of Fort Lauderdale restaurant Salt 7 and its ongoing payroll issues, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek has announced a special job fair aimed at assisting displaced employees.
Recommended Videos
The job fair will take place on Friday, April 4, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, located at 5550 NW 40th St., in the Butterfly Training Room located next to the Human Resources department, outside the pavilion next to NYY Steak.
Hard Rock officials say they were moved to take action after seeing Local 10’s reporting on Salt 7’s abrupt closure and the financial hardships its former staff now face.
Salt 7, an upscale dining establishment at 500 E. Las Olas Blvd., was evicted early Tuesday morning after weeks of turmoil involving unpaid wages and bounced checks. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a court-ordered writ of possession, and building management swiftly changed the locks, effectively shutting down the restaurant.
Former Salt 7 employees who gathered outside the restaurant on Tuesday morning, expecting to receive back pay as promised, were met instead with locked doors and silence.
“They told me to come in today to get my money. I don’t see anybody,” said Llrill Louis, a line cook who worked at the restaurant for two years.
Local 10 News’ Jeff Weinsier informed Louis that Salt 7 had been officially evicted, leaving employees uncertain about the status of their missing wages. Many have questioned where the restaurant’s revenue has gone, as business reportedly remained steady leading up to the eviction.
Attempts to contact Salt 7 owner John Kostoglou for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful. However, in a previous interview, Kostoglou denied allegations of unpaid wages, stating, “That’s incorrect… We are working on every single one with my bookkeeper.”
Despite those claims, former staff members say they are owed thousands of dollars. Yael Freedman, a current employee, stated that the owner owes him over $2,000. Meanwhile, Daniel, Salt 7’s chef, shared his frustration, announcing, “I’m leaving! I’m the chef here, and my check bounced.”
With Salt 7 now permanently closed, many employees fear they will never see the money they are owed. Louis, who says he is owed three weeks of pay for over 90 hours of work, worries about how he will support his family.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said when asked if he believed he would ever be paid.
The situation has drawn widespread attention, with dozens of former employees reaching out to Local 10 News to report similar issues, not just with Salt 7 but with other restaurants as well.
Social media has been flooded with accusations, with one post claiming, “Salt 7 is a business that steals from their staff. They don’t pay their staff their credit card tips or any tips. They don’t pay their kitchen staff. They don’t pay anyone.”
For those seeking assistance with unpaid wages, Local 10 has compiled resources from federal, state, and local agencies that can be found at the bottom of this story.
Meanwhile, Seminole Hard Rock hopes its upcoming job fair will provide immediate relief for Salt 7’s displaced workers, offering them new opportunities in a more stable work environment.
How to file a complaint for back wages
Employees who are owed wages by their employer have several options to recover their money. They can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) by calling the toll-free helpline at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or by submitting a complaint online at DOL’s website.
It is important to keep relevant documentation, such as pay stubs and time records, to support the claim.
For those in Broward County, there is also a wage recovery ordinance that provides an additional avenue for employees to seek restitution, with more details available here. Employees with hearing or speech disabilities can access services by dialing 711.
In Miami-Dade, the Consumer Mediation Center handles wage disputes that meet the required criteria in cases of underpayment and non-payment of wages earned by employees working in Miami-Dade County.
The law applies to all private employers with employees who are performing work within Miami-Dade County, without any regard to the physical location of the employer.