Long Island Parking Company Manager Accused Of Stealing Thousands From Valets
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork/AP) -- A manager of a parking attendant company has been charged with stealing $23,541 in tips from parking valets at a mall on Long Island.
Long Island Parking Company Manager Accused Of Stealing Thousands From Valets
John Benevento, of East Rutherford, N.J., was arraigned Saturday on charges he stole tips from parking valets at two restaurants at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said the 32-year-old forced the valets to give him a percentage of their tips every week or face losing their jobs.
Long Island Parking Company Manager Accused Of Stealing Thousands From Valets
Rice said forcing workers to pay a fee to keep their jobs will not be allowed.
Stephanie, who valet parked her car at the mall on Saturday, told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten she hopes there's restitution involved in the case. "Well I hope whoever is rightly deserves the money, receives it back."
Sally said she expects all the money she hands to the valet parkers goes into their pockets. "He's getting the car, he should get the full amount of the tip."
One of the alleged victims, Andrew, who parks cars outside the Seasons 52 restaurant, said he's hoping to get some of his money back, Baumgarten reported. "We had to take out tip share every night. It's a portion of our tips that we had to set aside."
Benevento pleaded not guilty to the charge of fourth-degree grand larceny. He is due back in court Tuesday.
His attorney, Rovshan Sharifov, said Benevento denies the charges against him.
Benevento faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
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