Gino & Marty’s Ex-Employees Await Wages While Owner Pursues New Ventures
State records show 13 of 20 wage complaints against the former Fulton Market restaurant remain open, with individual claims totaling nearly $24,000 for some staff.
By Andrew Hayes ·
Former employees of Gino & Marty’s in the West Loop are still waiting to collect thousands of dollars in unpaid wages, according to state labor records. The Italian restaurant, which operated at 844 W. Randolph St., closed last summer. While owner Gino Bartucci Jr. has launched business projects in Dubai and Tulum, Mexico, at least 20 wage complaints filed against him from 2022 to 2025 remain in the system. Thirteen of those claims are currently open, the Illinois Department of Labor stated.
Nikko Camiola, a 22-year-old former worker, received a determination this summer from the Department of Labor stating he was owed nearly $24,000. The ruling followed a complaint he filed in 2023. Bartucci was ordered to pay the amount by July 20, but the money has not been received, according to the department. Camiola’s case was referred to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for enforcement during the week of Oct. 19. He is one of at least 20 workers alleging unpaid wages for shifts worked mostly in the summer of 2025.
Bartucci’s attorney, Kyle Badgley, said his client is making good faith efforts to settle the claims. Badgley stated that Bartucci served as executive chef and did not manage the restaurant’s finances or have access to bank accounts. He attributed the financial issues to Martin Parsley, a former business partner who is currently out of contact. Parsley and Bartucci are both listed as owners on the restaurant’s incorporation papers. Badgley noted that Bartucci personally went without compensation for more than two years.
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine employees who are collectively owed more than $20,000 in wages and $6,000 in damages. The lawsuit names Gino & Marty’s LLC, White Glove Service and Management LLC, and owners Bartucci, Parsley, and Daniel George. Since the filing, three plaintiffs have been paid, according to the office. Settlement negotiations are ongoing.
Former employees have described the collection process as difficult. Some alleged they were offered settlements for a fraction of their unpaid wages. One employee, who claimed to be owed nearly $15,000, disputed Bartucci’s statement that all workers had been paid. That employee reported being threatened by individuals associated with Bartucci, who suggested contacting the Department of Children and Family Services. Another former sous chef, owed $4,200, said an associate offered to settle the claim for 25 percent of the amount.
Bartucci acknowledged on the All In Good Taste podcast that some employees missed final paychecks as the restaurant struggled. He described the unpaid wages as common problems in the industry. He also criticized former staff, saying the culture had become lazy and that workers took advantage of the business. Bartucci declined to sit for an interview for this article.
The restaurant, which opened in 2022, attracted high-profile guests including Kevin Hart and Kevin Durant. Business declined after a few years. A 2025 investigation found the establishment owed more than $400,000 in unpaid rent, vendor bills, taxes, and wages. Bartucci had announced plans to revamp the space with a new concept, but the attempt to reopen fizzled.
The Illinois Department of Labor did not respond to questions about whether it is investigating alleged retaliation against workers who filed complaints. Illinois law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing wage claims or participating in investigations.
