D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced Tuesday that Ward 2 restaurant Swahili Village and owner Kevin Onyona must pay $526,973 to workers and the city to resolve a 2023 wage theft lawsuit.
In its lawsuit, the Office of the Attorney General alleged that the business systematically stole wages and tips from its servers, hosts, food runners, bussers and bartenders and violated multiple city labor laws.
“It is unacceptable, and illegal, for businesses to steal from their hardworking employees, depriving them of the full benefit they have earned and are legally entitled to,” Schwalb said. “Employers that do so are not only exploiting their workers but are gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors who play by the rules. This is a significant win for dozens of Swahili Village workers who were mistreated and continues our office’s commitment to combatting wage theft in the District of Columbia.”
Under the terms of the settlement, Swahili Village DC and Onyona must:
- Pay more than $260,000 to 72 workers.
- Pay $197,614 in penalties to the District government.
- Change its practice and report on compliance for three years.
As part of the settlement, Swahili Village and Onyona must also pay a claims administrator chosen by the District who will search for and contract all eligible workers and distribute the money they are owed.
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