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Gerard Butler among celebs sued in restaurant labor dispute

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Actor Gerard Butler sure chooses some interesting battles. He’s best known for fighting off hordes of ancient Persians in his hit film ‘300.’ Now, he’s embroiled in a lawsuit over labor conditions at a Korean restaurant in Hollywood.

The star is among a group of celebrity investors being sued by two ex-employees of Shin BBQ. Also named on the complaint: owner Simon Shin, ‘That ‘70s Show’ actress Laura Prepon, deejay Mark Ronson and record producer Steve Aoki.

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Former cook Gilberto Hernandez and dishwasher Eder Martinez that they were denied overtime pay and weren’t allowed legally mandated meal and rest breaks. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Hernandez is owed more than $28,000 in overtime wages and Martinez is owed $5,800.

The restaurant serves up $10 tofu steaks, $18 black Angus tongue and a $70 ‘Emperor’s Feast.’

A study released this year found that 82% of restaurant workers in Los Angeles earn less than a living wage and are often left without paid sick days, health insurance or opportunities for promotions.

It’s unclear just how involved Butler and his fellow investors are in the eatery’s daily operations. But they’re far from the first restaurant-owning stars to be served lawsuits.

Earlier this year, ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress Eva Longoria was sued by an investor over interest payments for her Beso restaurant brand. Restaurants owned by the likes of Robert De Niro and Justin Timberlake have also had legal woes.

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-- Tiffany Hsu

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