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ROCK ISLAND, Illinois -
Tonight employees of a Quad City tavern are turning to the authorities to help them recover the paychecks they say are owed to them by their former employer. 8 On Your Side Reporter Chris Williams broke the Hunter's Club story Monday when the tavern suddenly closed. He has the latest on the fallout for those who worked at there.
It's the first of the month and, for Jerame Daniel and Jason Stephenson, that means the rent is due. Their families are worried. Both of the men are at the end of their financial ropes. They say they're owed money by their former boss Hunter's Club owner Brad Emmert.
"Personally, I hope Brad sees this and I hope it hits him because he has a family and he has children and I hope that he corrects his mistakes", said Jason Stephenson.
Monday the historic tavern closed. We've spoken with numerous employees who tell us the same tale; their paycheck bounced a couple of weeks ago, Emmert promised to make things right, but didn't. Then Friday he didn't show with the next round of checks and the safe was cleaned out.
"To tell you the truth", Jerame Daniel told us, "I want to see him go to jail for this."
Several of the employees have contacted the State's Attorney's Office. They were then told to contact the Attorney General. We learned their best hope may be with the Illinois Department of Labor who handles these types of cases since Illinois law sees failing to pay employees as a crime. Any employees affected can click on the links attached to this story.
Jason Stephenson appreciates 8 On Your Side for tracking down answers for employees.
"Somebody's paying attention to what's going on", he said, "and other people in the area get to see that, you know, if there are other people out there facing tough times struggling you're not alone."
While workers hope the Hunter's Club doors will reopen and they'll have a job here again sometime soon they really want to hear from Brad Emmert and so do we. We've left several messages on his cell phone and he's failed to get back to us too.
Employees say the bounced checks have created several problems for them. Many are now being contacted by their banks or other businesses where they cashed their payroll checks as those businesses look to make up for their losses.
It's the first of the month and, for Jerame Daniel and Jason Stephenson, that means the rent is due. Their families are worried. Both of the men are at the end of their financial ropes. They say they're owed money by their former boss Hunter's Club owner Brad Emmert.
"Personally, I hope Brad sees this and I hope it hits him because he has a family and he has children and I hope that he corrects his mistakes", said Jason Stephenson.
Monday the historic tavern closed. We've spoken with numerous employees who tell us the same tale; their paycheck bounced a couple of weeks ago, Emmert promised to make things right, but didn't. Then Friday he didn't show with the next round of checks and the safe was cleaned out.
"To tell you the truth", Jerame Daniel told us, "I want to see him go to jail for this."
Several of the employees have contacted the State's Attorney's Office. They were then told to contact the Attorney General. We learned their best hope may be with the Illinois Department of Labor who handles these types of cases since Illinois law sees failing to pay employees as a crime. Any employees affected can click on the links attached to this story.
Jason Stephenson appreciates 8 On Your Side for tracking down answers for employees.
"Somebody's paying attention to what's going on", he said, "and other people in the area get to see that, you know, if there are other people out there facing tough times struggling you're not alone."
While workers hope the Hunter's Club doors will reopen and they'll have a job here again sometime soon they really want to hear from Brad Emmert and so do we. We've left several messages on his cell phone and he's failed to get back to us too.
Employees say the bounced checks have created several problems for them. Many are now being contacted by their banks or other businesses where they cashed their payroll checks as those businesses look to make up for their losses.
