Bartenders Sue Bar; Owner has bartender arrested

PLEASANT VALLEY — Several former bartenders and employees at Publick House 23 in Pleasant Valley and Mezingah Tap House in Beacon have filed a federal lawsuit against the bar and owners, alleging the company altered wages and tips owed to staff Funds not paid to four former employees who filed the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks to recover minimum wages, overtime pay, misappropriated tips, wages and other damages for the plaintiffs, including Melissa Dinsmore, and co-workers such as servers, bussers, food runners, barbacks, bartenders and other non-managerial-domestic workers who have been employed in recent years Work or have worked at Mezingah Tap House or Publick House 23 for six years.

The lawsuit was originally filed by three individuals against Tweegs Inc., doing business as Mezingah Tap House, Roonies Inc., doing business as Publick House 23, and owners Dana and Kevin Collins. Dinsmore had not joined the case when, she says, on August 9, 2024, she handed one of the plaintiffs a text message that had taken place between her and Dana Collins in which Collins stated she would change Dinsmore's work hours from over 40 to one week to less than 40 and pay the rest of the hours the following week. A few days later, while Dinsmore was still an employee, Collins said she was aware of the conversation between Dinsmore and the former employee and asked if she had anything that could be used to defend herself in the lawsuit. Dinsmore refused.

On August 14, Dinsmore was called into the office by Dana and Kevin Collins and told she was being terminated because her attorney said she had to be terminated for legal reasons, and she was asked to sign a non-compete agreement with a waiver of any claims sign Maybe she did (low pay, tips, etc.) and if she didn't sign, they called the police and signed a report that she “topped up” a tip on a credit card and changed it from a $50 tip to an $80 tip , based on an alleged complaint from the cardholder. According to the lawsuit, Dinsmore believes Dana Collins framed her because she provided information to the plaintiffs.

Collins offered to pay Dinsmore $3,000 in exchange for signing the press release, the lawsuit says. Dinsmore refused to sign the release and left the building. On September 12, Dinsmore joined the suit as a plaintiff. A week later, the bar's attorney informed Dinsmore's attorney that they would be filing a criminal complaint against her and also suing her based on her involvement in the lawsuit.

On September 20, Dinsmore was arrested by state police and charged with scheme to defraud, intent to defraud ten or more persons and falsifying business records. She was issued an appearance ticket for a later court date. The lawsuit says the arrest was the result of a “baseless criminal complaint” against Dinsmore in retaliation for her failure to sign the release and for failing to stop her from joining the lawsuit.

“MS. Dinsmore clearly denies any wrongdoing. She has her own lawsuit pending against the facility in the Southern District of New York and looks forward to both matters being properly adjudicated,” Dinsmore's attorney John Ventosa told Mid Hudson News.

Neither Mr. nor Ms. Collins responded seeking comment.