USLiveNewsletter_Register

Lisa Vanderpump Settles $490K Dispute with Pump Staff

  • Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd settle a $490K lawsuit with former Pump employees over unpaid wages and labor violations.
  • The lawsuit, filed by Ernest R. Bennick, claimed failure to pay wages and other labor law violations at Pump restaurant.
  • Vanderpump Rules is rebooting with a new cast, while Vanderpump and Todd continue expanding their business ventures.

Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have finally settled a lawsuit with former employees of their restaurant, Pump. The legal dispute lasted nearly five years and ended with a settlement amount of $490,000. The case was initially filed in August 2020 when Ernest R. Bennick, a former server at Pump, sued the couple and their business. Bennick accused them of not paying minimum wages, overtime wages, and failing to provide proper meal breaks. The lawsuit also claimed they did not pay employees upon termination, which violated labor laws.

The settlement reached its conclusion after months of legal proceedings. On April 28, a judge approved the settlement during a hearing. Both Vanderpump, 64, and Todd, 79, agreed to pay the full amount after discussions about the case. The court’s approval followed a detailed review of the situation, and both sides agreed to settle rather than continue the lengthy legal battle.

Lawsuit Begins Over Unpaid Wages and Labor Violations

The lawsuit began when Bennick took legal action in 2020. He worked as a server at Pump from 2018 to 2019 and felt the restaurant violated his rights by not paying him properly. Bennick accused Vanderpump and Todd of failing to pay minimum wage, overtime wages, and not following meal break laws. These were serious allegations against the well-known restaurant owners. The case soon expanded to include other former employees who experienced similar issues with unpaid wages and illegal work practices.

Defendants Deny Claims and Seek Arbitration

Vanderpump and Todd denied the accusations. They argued the claims were invalid and that the lawsuit should be resolved through arbitration, not the court system. They also stated that the claims were “barred” by an agreement requiring employees to settle disputes privately. However, despite these defenses, the judge allowed the case to move forward. Eventually, the defendants agreed to settle instead of continuing to fight the lawsuit in court.

Details of the Settlement and Payments

The settlement amount was set at \$490,000, but the plaintiffs will not receive the full sum. After legal fees, costs, and other deductions, the net settlement total is \$252,638.96. The breakdown includes \$163,333.33 for attorney fees, \$18,527.71 for costs, and a \$7,500 enhancement award to Bennick. The court also imposed \$40,000 in penalties. Part of these penalties, \$10,000, will be distributed to former employees who worked at Pump in California between 2019 and 2023. The rest will cover other legal costs and the settlement administration. A review of the case will take place in a year to ensure that the funds are properly distributed.

Former Employees of Pump Benefit from Settlement

The settlement covers former Pump employees who worked at the restaurant in West Hollywood from 2016 to 2022. Bennick, as the main plaintiff, felt compelled to take action. He wanted to stand up for his own rights and those of others who suffered under similar circumstances. Many employees feared retaliation from Vanderpump and Todd, which is why Bennick felt the need to lead the lawsuit. He aimed to put an end to what he saw as illegal wage practices and to recover money for affected employees.

Disputes Arise Over Payment of Settlement

In the early stages of the settlement, Todd and Vanderpump hesitated to pay. They cited financial difficulties due to the closure of Pump. They also blamed the restaurant’s landlord for issues with unpaid rent and a decline in business. However, Bennick and his legal team pushed back against these claims. He argued that the restaurant’s financial troubles were not valid excuses for not paying the settlement. Bennick pointed out that Pump had reopened in a new location next to Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s TomTom restaurant, suggesting the Vanderpumps had the money to settle.

Vanderpump and Todd’s Financial Situation

Despite the challenges faced by Pump, Vanderpump and Todd are in a strong financial position. Vanderpump owns multiple successful businesses, including SUR Restaurant in Los Angeles and three more locations in Las Vegas. She also has plans to open The Vanderpump Hotel in Las Vegas in 2026 in partnership with Caesars Entertainment. These ventures suggest that the Vanderpumps have a significant income, despite their previous claims of financial strain. They remain financially stable and continue to build their business empire.

Changes in Vanderpump Rules and Show’s Future

Vanderpump Rules, the reality TV show that made Lisa Vanderpump famous, is also undergoing major changes. After a dramatic Season 11, the show is set to feature an entirely new cast. Vanderpump will be the only returning star, with a fresh group of employees at her SUR restaurant. The new season will bring in new faces and challenges, but fans are uncertain how it will compare to past seasons. Some former cast members, like Katie Maloney, have expressed disappointment about the reboot, calling it “cheap” and questioning why the network didn’t just create a new show entirely.

Reactions from Former Cast Members About the Reboot

Katie Maloney, a former cast member, made it clear that she was unhappy with the reboot. She said she was “ready to walk away” from the show and felt that the new season lacked originality. Maloney explained that the reboot tried to replicate the past too much and would fail to capture the magic of the original cast. While she didn’t criticize the new cast members personally, she felt the network missed an opportunity to start something new. Other former cast members, like Ally Lewber, expressed excitement about the reboot and the potential of a fresh cast.

Looking Ahead to the New Cast and Future Seasons

The official announcement of the new cast has yet to be made, but many are eager to see who will be featured. Fans have heard rumors about new faces, but the details remain unclear. Ally Lewber, who used to date James Kennedy, expressed her curiosity about the new cast and said she would be tuning in. She added that it would be interesting to see how the show evolves with a completely new group. The future of Vanderpump Rules remains uncertain, but it is clear that the show will take a new direction as it enters its next phase.

A New Chapter for Vanderpump and Pump

In conclusion, Vanderpump and Todd have settled their lawsuit with former Pump employees, bringing the long legal battle to an end. Although the settlement was a significant financial commitment, it allows both sides to move forward. Meanwhile, Vanderpump Rules enters a new era with a fresh cast and renewed energy. Fans and former cast members have mixed feelings about the changes, but the future of the show will likely continue to evolve. The Vanderpumps remain focused on expanding their business empire, even as they face challenges in both the legal and entertainment worlds.

TOP HEADLINES

Liberian Baseball Swap: No Bats, All Women

MONROVIA, Liberia — The roar of excitement filled the air as Perryline Jimmie launched...

Tensions in Sweida Signal Syrian Troops’ Return

In southern Syria's Sweida province, intense overnight fighting erupted once again between armed Druze...

Scotland Triumphs Over Samoa 41-12 in Tour Conclusion

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Scrumhalf Jamie Dobie was instrumental in leading Scotland to a...

Authorities work to ID 18 victims in Iraq mall...

BAGHDAD - In the aftermath of a devastating blaze at a newly opened shopping...

Dempsey: Winning will boost U.S. support at World Cup

Clint Dempsey believes that strong performances during upcoming friendly matches will be crucial for...

Lou Helmig: Germany’s Baseball Heritage Player

In the hushed atmosphere of a dugout in Oakland, Lou Helmig stands ready, a...
USLive
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.