N.Y. Eatery Settles Case for $1.1 Million

Jing Fong, New York City’s largest Chinese restaurant, has settled a lawsuit for $1.1 million with 58 workers allegedly cheated out of back pay and tips and paid less than the minimum wage. The agreement ended a suit filed by New York Atty. Gen. Dennis Vacco and a related case filed in federal court by the Manhattan-based Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund on behalf of 11 former and current workers. Vacco said the restaurant paid as little as $65 for a 60-hour week. The settlement provides for reinstatement of and back pay for whistle-blower Sheng Gang Deng, who was fired in January. “This settlement is a tremendous victory that will benefit . . . all workers in Chinatown,” said Margaret Fung of the Asian American fund.