We know that tipping is a touchy subject here, but not as touchy as it is to the wait staff at the restaurants owned by celeb chef Mario Batali. The red-headed TV personality is the subject of a class action lawsuit that alleges he’s been screwing his employees over by skimming off the top of the tip pile.

The lawsuit claims that Batali has been holding back on sharing credit card tips and that the amount being withheld is equal to 4-5% of the nightly wine sales at his restaurants.

Says the lawyer for the plaintiffs: “This policy is vintage tip theft… Our clients hope their case will put a cork in it.”

The suit seeks unspecified damages for workers at Batali-owned restaurants Otto, Casa Mono, Bar Jamon and Lupa and Tarry Lodge.

Mario waiters cork’$crewed’ [NY Post]

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