Report: Mario Batali accused by ex-employees of tip-stealing scheme at Pizzeria Mozza

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TMZ reports that a former server and a former bartender at Pizzeria Mozza have accused Mario Batali of stealing their tips, according to a lawsuit filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court.

In the lawsuit, the former employees say that a percentage of their tips from credit card sales were diverted into a ‘wine program’ and that the funds allegedly were pocketed by Batali and his partner, Joe Bastianich. The former employees are seeking unspecified damages. A rep for Batali provided TMZ with no comment.

Bastianich has told Eater NY that he would fight similar allegations against the Batali-Bastianich restaurant Babbo in New York.