In a striking lawsuit that highlights alleged wage violations, two former employees have taken legal action against their previous employer, a golf training facility and its manager. The complaint was filed by Kelsey Anding and Michelle Mathey, also known as Michelle Molina, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 21, 2025. The defendants named in the case are OB Golf, LLC, doing business as X-Golf, and Michael O'Shea.
The plaintiffs allege that during their employment as servers at OB Golf's restaurant and bar from September 2021 to June 2024, they were subjected to unlawful wage practices. According to the complaint, OB Golf utilized a tip credit system to pay below minimum wage rates while relying on tips to cover the difference. However, the plaintiffs claim that OB Golf violated both federal and state labor laws by retaining employee tips and failing to inform them of their rights under these laws. "Defendants' violations included: (a) retaining server and bartender tips; (b) failing to notify Plaintiffs of the tip credit rules and regulations; (c) failing to post and display the required FLSA and IMWL notices," states the complaint.
The lawsuit is brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL), with allegations that OB Golf failed to pay minimum wages owed to its employees. The plaintiffs argue that these practices not only affected them but also other similarly situated current and former servers and bartenders who worked for OB Golf over the past three years. They contend that management's inclusion in tip distribution further deprived them of rightful earnings.
Kelsey Anding worked approximately 10 hours per week on weeknights from September 2021 until March 2022, while Michelle Mathey averaged 30 hours per week over five days from January 2022 through June 2024. Both women were paid using a tip credit wage plus tips throughout their employment with OB Golf.
In addition to seeking unpaid tips due under both federal and state law claims, Anding and Mathey request liquidated damages equal to unpaid tips found due under FLSA provisions along with statutory interest damages under IMWL guidelines. They also seek reasonable attorneys' fees incurred during this litigation process alongside any other relief deemed appropriate by court authorities.
Represented by attorney Richard J. Miller from Miller Law Firm P.C., based out of Schaumburg Illinois; this collective action suit aims not only at recovering lost wages but also ensuring justice prevails against what they describe as willful violations committed knowingly or unknowingly by employers like those at OB Golf LLC managed by Michael O’Shea.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:25-cv-01843 before judges yet unnamed in official records released thus far concerning proceedings related specifically towards addressing grievances raised herein regarding alleged misconduct involving employee compensation matters within said organization’s operational framework moving forward into future deliberations expected soon thereafter following initial filings made recently according latest updates available publicly accessible sources tracking developments closely monitoring situation ongoing basis throughout duration trial period anticipated lasting several months possibly longer depending upon complexity issues involved resolution ultimately reached conclusion satisfactory all parties concerned eventually leading hopefully positive outcome everyone affected directly indirectly alike impacted negatively adversely result actions taken course events transpired previously described above context background information provided herein 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