West Loop workers are still waiting for back pay from the now‑closed Italian restaurant Gino & Marty’s. After three years of uncertainty, former line cook Nikko Camiola received a notice from the Illinois Department of Labor that the restaurant owes him nearly $24,000, but the payment has not yet arrived.
Wage complaints and state action
State records show at least 20 wage complaints filed against owner‑chef Gino Bartucci between 2022 and 2025, collectively alleging tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine employees who are owed more than $20,000 in wages plus $6,000 in damages. The suit names Gino and Marty’s LLC, White Glove Service and Management LLC, and the individuals Bartucci, Martin Parsley and Daniel George.
While three plaintiffs have received payments, the majority of claimants—including Camiola—remain unpaid. The Department of Labor ordered Bartucci to pay Camiola by July 20, yet the deadline passed without any funds being transferred.
Chef’s response and legal representation
In a recent interview, Bartucci acknowledged that some employees missed final paychecks as the restaurant struggled financially, describing the situation as “common problems” that every restaurant faces. He added that staff culture had become “lazy” and “sloppy,” suggesting that workers took advantage of the business.
Attorney Kyle Badgley, representing Bartucci, says his client is making good‑faith efforts to settle the claims. Badgley argues that Bartucci served only as executive chef and had no access to the restaurant’s bank accounts or authority to issue checks, blaming former partner Martin Parsley for controlling the finances. Badgley also notes that Bartucci personally went without compensation for more than two years and has endured significant financial hardship.
Business ventures and ongoing disputes
While the West Loop location closed last summer, Bartucci continues to pursue projects abroad, including ventures in Tulum, Mexico, and potential development in Dubai. He also remains involved in his family’s pasta business, Pasta Fresh, which supplies homemade pastas and sauces to restaurants across Chicago.
Despite the chef’s claims of limited control, messages obtained by Block Club Chicago show Bartucci communicating directly with staff about payroll delays, explaining a bank‑switching issue that caused missed payroll cut‑offs.
What’s next for the workers?
For Camiola, the state ruling was only the first step. He now faces the challenge of collecting the awarded amount. The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing his case separately from the broader lawsuit.
The Illinois Department of Labor continues to monitor the situation, and settlement negotiations are ongoing. Workers and advocates urge the state to enforce payment promptly, emphasizing the impact on families who rely on those wages to meet basic needs.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
