S3 / VIBE Sued for Bouncer Beatings

A few years ago, YOLO/VIBE owner Tim Petrillo didn't take kindly to my questioning as to why his restaurants were the only ones in the city that needed bouncers. The allegation was that YOLO needed them because the business drew in a lot of Punks. We've all been to packed restaurant bars that have no bouncers; as someone who lived in NY I can attest to the fact that Fort Lauderdale is a very well-behaved city. And we've all read the stories about the bouncer escapades at the Beach.

What I find absurd is that the places that seem to have bouncer incidents all use Police Details, which should negate the necessity for bouncers beating anyone up. If someone is unruly, you can simply detain them and call in the police, who are usually within 30 yards of the venue.

I regularly saw the bouncers at Brick Bar rough up people for no reason, with a police detail across the street.

The argument for having bouncers is that the venue is providing security for its customers. The question we have to ask is, "Are we more likely to be hurt by a bouncer than another patron"

Fernando Ortiz vs YOLO Music Las Olas LLC

Filed: 5/1/2015
Case#: CACE15007678

Summary

On October 12/13 2012, Ortiz claims that he was "attacked" by Vibe security, carried and thrown out the exit onto a sidewalk. He claims that he received permanent injuries due to the incident.

Count 1: Negligence Against VIBE due to the actions of it's Security Team
Count 2: Battery: The actions of VIBE's security team are 'tantamount to criminal battery, and Ortiz suffered permanent in injuries as a direct result'.

On August 13, this complaint was amended to add Steven Voss and Camilo Vera as Defendants; the 2 bouncers involved in the alleged beating.

Ronald and Karen Romeo vs Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach, Restaurant People Beach Blvd LLC dba S3

Filed: March 8, 2015
Case#: CACE15006059

S3 = Restaurant People Beach Blvd dba S3

Summary

Count 1: Battery Against John Swift (Security Guard Bouncer at S3)

John Swift is accused of attacking Ronald Romeo resulting in loss of his eye and other bodily injuries.

Count 7:

S3 "responsible for actions of employees"

Count 8:

Negligent hiring by S3. Failure to do proper background check on John Swift.

Count 9:

Negligence Retention of Employee by S3 for failure to monitor Swift, failure to investigate alleged incidents involving Swift, and failing to terminate Swift after learning of previous violent acts with customers of S3.

Count 10:

Negligent Supervision by S3 of Employee John Swift.

Count 11:

Negligent Security by S3. Failure to protect public by retaining John Swift despite previous actions.

Count 12:

Karen Romeo sues for loss of consortium with her husband.

Other Suits Summaries

- Big City Tavern is being sued. A 19yo was served alcohol and subsequently injured in a fight with another patrol. Under Florida law, if a person not of drinking age is injured which is contributed to by unlawfully serving them alcohol, the venue is liable for damages.

- Dirty Blondes is being sued by a bunch of people. Shelly Lang is suing them for improper tip pooling, failing to pay minimum wage, and failing to pay for all of her hours. Anthony Campos was attacked and robbed in the bathroom at Dirty Blondes. Ryan Moran was injured by a bouncer after a bartender gave him shots that he said he didn't order and refused to pay for.

- Blue Martini is being sued in 2 separate cases by people who slipped and were injured on the ramp that leads to the bathrooms.

- Public House and Rok South (Marc Falsetto) was sued for breaking a janitorial contract and not paying the bills. A settlement of $12,000. was reached in the case.