Exotic dancer files lawsuit against adult clubs in Westmoreland County

PITTSBURGH — An exotic dancer is suing two adult night clubs in Westmoreland County saying they owe her more than $58,000 in back wages and damages after having her employment status misclassified.

According to our partners at TribLive.com, Deanna Betras, 41, claims the owners of the former The Filly Corral in South Huntingdon violated labor laws by treating her as an employee and not letting her work at other clubs. The lawsuit said the owners listed her as an independent contractor to avoid paying minimum wage and overtime when she worked more than 40 hours per week.

The Filly Corral closed in late February 2020, according to the secretary-treasurer Thomas Oliver. The Filly Gentleman’s Club opened the next month at the same site. Oliver told TribLIVE.com that in response to complaints dancers were not paid minimum wage, they could earn up nearly $800 in tips on busy weekend nights.

She filed a similar lawsuit in July against the owners of a Mt. Pleasant Township night club. Betras also previously sued the owners of Rick’s Cabaret in Pittsburgh in federal court and settled for more than $5,000 in Dec. 2019.

Betras asked a judge to give her $58,448 that includes almost $26,000 in back wages from July 2018 through March 2020, plus attorney fees and damages.

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