Honolulu Chef Faces $3.15 Million Judgment for Abusive Workplace Culture After Sous Chef’s Harrowing Experience
HONOLULU — A jury in Oahu has awarded more than $3 million to a former sous chef who alleged he suffered violent abuse by the executive chef at a Honolulu restaurant. The case was brought by Andrew DeBellis, who worked at Margotto Hawaii from October to December 2023 and claimed the restaurant’s owner enabled the abusive behavior. The jury’s verdict, handed down on June 24, included $1.05 million in compensatory damages and an additional $2.1 million in punitive damages. DeBellis accused chef Yohei Yagishita of repeatedly assaulting him physically, causing injuries that included a torn … Read more