King County, Wash. — Nine former servers at Galliano's Cucina in Tukwila and SeaTac have filed a lawsuit against the restaurants' owners Mario and Erum Galliano over stolen tips.
Noelle Knipp is one of the former servers who said she believes about 70 to 75 percent of her tips were withheld since she worked there in January.
"How could they do that to people? what kind of cold-hearted person could do that to someone, just knowing they steal from their employees that work their butt off for them in their business," said Knipp, who quit last week.
The lawsuit was filed in King County seeking lost wages.
Knipp said the tips were supposed to be split evenly between servers and kitchen staff.
"My sole intent from this lawsuit is just to get back the money they stole from me," said Knipp.
Angelo Ramos worked for the Gallianos for about two and a half years.
He said he didn't realize his tips were lower until other employees crunched the numbers.
Even though he suspected the numbers were off, he said he stuck with the job.
"It was kinda upsetting because you kinda have to put up with it because you need the job," said Ramos.
The owner of Galliano's, Mario Galliano, declined an on-camera interview but over the phone said the claims are baseless and the suit was brought forth by a group of disgruntled employees.
The employees also allege that they were not allowed to go home if they were sick, they were not allowed to take breaks, and they even had to ask permission to use the restroom.
"The owner wanted us to call him and let him know that we were using the restroom and as a woman I did not wanna call him and let him know i I was using the restroom," said Knipp.
Galliano said those allegations are false.
He said that he "100 percent would not" settle this case and plans to fight the suit in court.
KIRO
