Bartender Suing Employer After Allegedly Being Forced to Repay Money Stolen in Armed Robbery

A Las Vegas bartender has filed a lawsuit against his employer after he was allegedly forced to repay money that was stolen during an armed robbery, CBS affiliate KLAS reports.

Edward Parker was working at the Lodge Hualapai on December 4, 2020, when a gunman walked into the bar and according to the lawsuit, ordered him to “kneel on the ground and put his hands behind his head while the armed assailant took all the money that was at the bar.”

While Parker wasn’t injured during the confrontation, the armed assailant escaped with $3,937.35 in cash. Hours later, Parker alleges that management at The Lodge ordered him to pay the money back by having him sign a repayment form. 

“I wasn’t thinking right,” Parker said. “I just had a gun shoved in my face and I signed the document.”

Parker’s attorney, Sam Mirejovsky, claims The Lodge coerced his client to sign the contract.

“It’s a demand for repayment, for money that was taken from him,” Mirejovsky said. “It’s the most outrageous thing I’ve ever seen and it’s not right.”

The lawsuit alleges that Parker’s paycheck was docked $300 until his employer was fully reimbursed for the nearly $4,000 that was stolen during the robbery. Despite paying the money back by the end of June, Parker claims he was fired in July 2021 after taking a pre-approved vacation. 

“I was devastated,” Parker said. “I loved that company. I worked very hard for them. I couldn’t believe they had done this to me.”

In light of his lawsuit, Parker says he hopes business owners will be held accountable. “I’m hoping to show them that I can lead by example and if you guys have problems with employers, don’t be afraid to speak up,” he said. “You’re not alone out there.”