A scandal is flaring up around New York's small businesses. The Office of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced the initiation of legal proceedings against Hann Low, owner of the Manhattan restaurant Lemongrass Grill, who paid his employees $25 a day for a 72-hour work week [NY hourly minimum wage is $7.15]. Low cumulatively owes dishwashers, busboys, cooks, and waiters almost $1 million.  

"Hann Low did not even pay half of the minimum wage," said Cuomo. "We must put people who use cheap labor for their own gain on trial." 

Unfortunately, Low is just one of the few businessmen in New York that exploit workers. Complaints are filed in city agencies every day from people who have been exploited and cheated by their employers. The victims usually work for restaurants or at construction sites, and generally do not have any written contracts with their bosses.  

"Many people who do not have the right to work are scared to report their employers," commented Attorney Sam Johnson. "They fear fines, arrest, and deportation. Every year thousands of New Yorkers resign to the fact that they will not be paid for work that they have performed." 

However, even an undocumented Mexican worker found on the street and hired without any legal contracts can destroy the reputation of an influential employer. Several complaints to the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (USDOL-WH) are all it takes for a deadbeat employer to be severely punished. In the worst case, his certificates and licenses will be revoked and he will have to compensate for material and emotional damages, as well as pay a large fine to the United States Department of the Treasury.  

There have even been cases in New York where employers who owed $100 to their workers lost their entire business. They were brought down by excessive greed and disdain for their own employees.  

A dishwasher who was fired from a Manhattan restaurant reported his boss and told his story to hundreds of Internet users at the same time. As a result, a once prestigious restaurant was dubbed "the place that doesn't even pay its dishwashers." Naturally, customer traffic dropped and the owner of the establishment went bankrupt in several months.  

"Menial workers are not likely to forgive," said Ralph Maniago, a gas station employee. "Even if our boss robs us of several dollars, we will find a way to get our revenge. It's a matter of principle. Employers are generally very rich people. They can pay, but they don't because of their stinginess." 

To punish a deadbeat employer to the fullest extent, you have to follow two rules. First, find out the employer's first and last name along with the name of the company. Second, obtain evidence that you really did perform work – witnesses being the best source.

It won't be simple to report a deadbeat employer. You'll have to spend a lot of time on hold with various departments and write several complaints to the appropriate agencies. However, you can be assured that the results will exceed all expectations and officials will punish the employer to the full extent of the law.  

Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney General intends to carry out inspections at a number of Manhattan businesses to learn how much menial workers actually make.