Peter D. Valenzano represents Lisa Rodriguez and Leslie Bethel in a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against Dolce & Gabbana Beauty USA, Inc. (“Dolce & Gabbana”).
Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel were Resident Makeup Artists contracted by Dolce & Gabbana to perform services at Saks NYC, who, at all times, performed their jobs competently. Despite their exceptional performance and hopes of long-term gainful employment, Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel claim in their complaint that they found themselves subject to intolerable retaliation after blowing the whistle on Dolce & Gabbana’s violations of New York’s wage laws.
More specifically, the complaint alleges that throughout their 2024-2025 employment, Dolce & Gabbana failed to pay either woman on time. According to their employment contracts, both Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel were to be paid their hourly consulting fees plus commission biweekly. The pay discrepancies began immediately, and the women did not receive their first paycheck until six weeks after they began working. The inconsistencies continued for months, and the extended periods in which Dolce & Gabbana failed to pay the women led to immense emotional and financial strain.
Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel claim that they reported the violations and discrepancies to management, but their concerns were dismissed, not investigated, and never addressed. Eventually, Dolce & Gabbana’s actions forced Ms. Bethel to resign. Ms. Rodriguez continued to report violations until the end of her year-long contract, which Dolce & Gabbana refused to renew. According to Dolce & Gabbana, Ms. Rodriguez had issues with “staying in her own lane.”
On June 2, 2025, Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel filed a complaint in New York County Supreme Court against Dolce & Gabbana and other named defendants.
“As alleged in the complaint, both women faced severe retaliation for speaking out,” said attorney Peter D. Valenzano. “They tried to address Dolce & Gabbana’s unlawful actions and paid the price. We stand with them in holding the company accountable for its clear violations of New York law.” – Peter D. Valenzano, Esq.