In a dramatic legal showdown, two former employees have filed a lawsuit against a prominent New York pizzeria for alleged wage violations. The complaint was lodged by Salatiel R. Garcia and Jose A. Mizhquirilema in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 24, 2026, targeting Patsy’s Pizzeria Rockland LLC and its principal owner, Alend Fejza.
The plaintiffs, represented by Stillman Legal, P.C., accuse the defendants of systematically violating both federal and state labor laws. According to the complaint, Garcia and Mizhquirilema were employed as chefs at Patsy’s Pizzeria Rockland LLC from April 2021 to February 2026 and September 2016 to February 2026, respectively. They allege that despite working grueling hours—72 hours per week for Garcia and 69 hours per week for Mizhquirilema—they were not compensated with the legally mandated overtime pay. Instead, they received flat weekly rates or hourly wages without any overtime premium. “Defendants willfully failed to pay Plaintiffs their lawful overtime pay,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit highlights several violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL), including failure to provide written notice of wage rates as required by law. The plaintiffs claim that from 2024 onwards, a bifurcated payment system was introduced where checks were issued for only the first forty hours worked each week while overtime was paid in cash at straight time rates—an arrangement they argue obscured true wage violations.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for unpaid wages along with liquidated damages under both FLSA and NYLL provisions. They also demand statutory damages due to lack of proper wage notices and statements, pre-judgment interest at nine percent per annum, post-judgment interest at maximum permissible rates, attorneys’ fees, costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Garcia’s employment ended abruptly in February 2026 when Fejza allegedly terminated him over salary disputes. Similarly, Mizhquirilema faced termination under comparable circumstances. Both plaintiffs contend that their work schedules were strictly controlled by Fejza who also handled their payments—a factor contributing to his classification as an employer under FLSA guidelines.
This case underscores significant allegations against Patsy’s Pizzeria Rockland LLC regarding employment practices potentially affecting other similarly situated employees who may opt into this collective action suit seeking justice for unpaid wages.
Representing Garcia and Mizhquirilema is attorney Lina Stillman from Stillman Legal P.C., while presiding over this matter is yet-to-be-named judge in Case ID: 1:26-cv-01564.
Source: 126cv01564_Salatiel_Garcia_v_Patsy_Pizzeria_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York .pdf
