This post was filed on Friday, October 28, 2016 by Rodney Ho on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
A former employee of entrepreneur and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" reality star Kandi Burruss and her business Kandi Koated Entertainment has filed a lawsuit, alleging she failed to pay him overtime pay over two-plus years.
Johnnie Winston III, who describes himself as a caterer and event planner on his Instagram page, said he worked for Burruss from August 3, 2013 until he was terminated February 29, 2016. He did not say why he was let go.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on October 27.
In the lawsuit, he said he regularly worked seven days a week, well in excess of 40 hours a week. Over time, he said he worked anywhere from 10 to 20 hours a day, seven days a week. He alleges that he was not paid overtime for those extra hours.
He described work included planning special events, attending mandatory meetings, running errands and preparing meals for special events. In the lawsuit, he said worked as the manager for the Kandi Factory, her studio, then became event planner in early 2014, followed by a title change to production coordinator. He helped with her wedding to Todd Tucker, her Bedroom Kandi conventions, Business Woman's Masterclass and taping of her Kandi Koated Nights broadcasts.
Winston said he requested overtime pay three times and was denied each time.
The lawsuit does not specify his hourly pay or how much money he thinks he is owed.
I have reached out to Winston's attorneys but have not heard back yet.
I have also texted DonJuan Antonio Clark, Winston's former supervisor, but he has not responded.
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