JFK Hotel Chef Can Keep $1 Million-Plus for Overtime Violations

A hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport can’t overturn or reduce a former chef’s $1,024, 267 trial win based on its failure to pay him overtime wages under federal and state labor laws, the Second Circuit ruled.

A lower court found Mohamed Elghourab wasn’t paid extra as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law for working more than 40 hours per week and holidays during his five years in Vista JFK LLC’s restaurant. Following a bench trial, it ultimately awarded him $420,248 in unpaid OT compensation, $420,248 in liquidated damages, $5,000 in statutory wage-notice ...