Lawsuits

Lawsuit Shows a Whole New Round of Shadiness Emerging at Water Works

Water Works
Water Works Photo: Courtesy GPTMC

Just as politicians in Harrisburg are questioning the role of the state in booze sales, local lawmakers should start reconsidering getting into the restaurant racket. Today’s Inky reports that there’s a whole new batch of shadiness emerging from the tax-payer funded Water Works restaurant near Boathouse Row. In a lawsuit, a former employee who claims he’s owed a ten percent stake in the restaurant as well consulting fees, is asking for a city judge to put the restaurant, which he alleges is being embezzled, in to court-appointed hands. Last year, the restaurant owner’s brother-in-law pleaded guilty to skimming thousands in profits through a billing scam.

Tax documents presented in the case show that Water Works is operating at a loss, and that it hasn’t made good on its deal to pay three percent of its gross annual receipts to the city’s general fund. Is this really the best use for public funding?

Ownership dispute shadows the Water Works Restaurant
[Inquirer]

Lawsuit Shows a Whole New Round of Shadiness Emerging at Water Works