PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — An exotic dancer has brought a class-action lawsuit against a Providence strip club seeking recovery of wages allegedly not paid, damages and legal fees.
The Providence Journal reports that Ruby Levi filed suit in federal court against the Foxy Lady and its owners, Thomas and Patricia Tsoumas, in addition to corporate owners.
The Mapleville resident says the club violated fair labor standards by failing to pay dancers a base wage. The lawsuit alleges dancers were forced to “tip-out” other club workers including deejays as a condition of their employment.
Levi says ownership misclassified dancers as independent contractors, open to fees and fines at the club’s discretion.
The lawsuit asks the court to declare dancers are employees under state and federal law.
The Tsoumases didn’t return a request for comment.
