Bartender Sues Bosses After 'Forcing Him To Repay Money' Stolen At Gunpoint

A bartender has filed a lawsuit against his employers claiming they forced him to pay back money after the business was robbed at gunpoint while he was on shift.

On December 4, 2020 Edward Parker was confronted by a gunman at a sports bar he worked at in Las Vegas called Lodge Hualapai.

All of the cash from the counter was stolen, amounting to a total of around $4,000 (roughly £3,000). However, his bosses demanded that he refund them the stolen cash.

The 42-year-old barman subsequently filed a lawsuit on February 1 in a bid to get the $4,000 returned.

During the incident, the lawsuit states the gunman forced Parker to his knees and made him put his hands on his head, The Independent reports. It noted: 'Edward was terrified during the ordeal and feared for his life.'

Despite this, a repayment contract for Parker was allegedly drawn up by his employers, who viewed it as his responsibility to pay the money back.

According to the lawsuit, the barman signed it out of fear of losing his job amid the coronavirus pandemic, as per The Washington Post.

In the months that followed, the lawsuit alleges that Parker had to then work in poor conditions and had $300 deducted from every payslip in order to repay the amount that was taken.

It also claimed the barman suffered from 'major anxiety' and 'panic attacks' after he became the subject of harassment from his employers.

Parker was later reportedly demoted to the role of 'extra board'. The position left him without work for months as opposed to being given regular hours. Parker was later fired.

There was no evidence found which suggested that Parker had any involvement in the robbery, and two people were later arrested in connection with the crime.

The lawsuit noted: 'There is no evidence whatsoever that Edward knew these individuals or had anything to do with their actions.'

Alongside demanding that the $4,000 he repaid his bosses be returned to him, Parker's lawsuit also argues that as a result of his wrongful termination the barman is entitled to further damages.

After losing his job, Parker moved states to Massachusetts, and has accused his employers of having 'robbed [him] of [his] dream'.

In 2016, The Lodge was faced with another lawsuit by some of its former employees who claimed that the company, which has multiple restaurants spread around the Las Vegas Valley, had paid them below the minimum wage.

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