Workplace

Honolulu Chef Faces $3.15 Million Judgment for Abusive Workplace Culture After Sous Chef’s Harrowing Experience

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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

Hawaii Restaurant Chef Faces $3.15 Million Verdict After Allegations of Brutal Workplace Abuse

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HONOLULU — A former sous chef at Margotto, a prominent restaurant in Ala Moana, has won a $3.15 million verdict against the restaurant’s owner following allegations of physical abuse by the head chef. The lawsuit revealed claims that Andrew Debellis, 23, endured repeated assaults at the hands of chef Yohei Yagishita, undermining his aspirations to master traditional sushi cuisine. Debellis moved to Honolulu with ambitions of becoming a skilled sushi chef but instead found himself in a distressing work environment. In the lawsuit, he described instances where Yagishita allegedly punched and slapped him for minor … Read more

New Laws in North Carolina: Enhanced Auto Insurance, Vacation Rental Safeguards, and Workplace Freedom Take Effect on July 1st

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Several new laws set to take effect in North Carolina on July 1 aim to enhance consumer protection in auto insurance, establish human trafficking awareness in the vacation rental sector, and modify employment agreements for workers. These legislative changes come with significant implications for residents and businesses across the state. Effective July 1, the state will raise the minimum liability limits for automobile insurance. Currently, the required minimum is $30,000 per person for bodily injury, with $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Under the new provisions, these limits will increase … Read more

$9.15 Million Verdict: Jury Rules in Favor of Ex-Power Integrations Executive Facing Workplace Harassment

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Peter Rogerson, a former senior director of worldwide marketing communications at Power Integrations, Inc., has secured a $9.15 million judgment against his former employer for harassment and discrimination, as determined by a Santa Clara County jury. The law firm Gomerman, Bourn, and Associates (GBA), which represented Rogerson, reported that a substantial portion of the verdict, amounting to $6 million, consisted of punitive damages aimed at holding the company accountable for its actions. Rogerson, 63, spent a decade at Power Integrations, where he was well-regarded by colleagues and praised by the company’s … Read more