Photo by xtol7

Whether you call him a nine-lived cat, steadfast elephant or indestructible cockroach, this week’s latest blow to D.C. chef Roberto Donna may send him to the abattoir. Chief U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled Friday that Donna must pay nearly $527,000 to 12 former employees over unpaid wages, attorney fees and damages. Judge Lamberth found that Donna and his companies failed to pay overtime and minimum wage requirements, misstated worked hours, and rarely paid workers — mostly waiters and bussers — completely or in a timely manner. In all, Donna was found personally liable for paying restitution to his former employees from Galileo and Bebo Trattoria, both having closed in 2006 and 2009 respectively. More of the not-so-sexy details, unless you’re a tax lawyer, can be found in the WaPo piece summarizing the 46-page ruling.

Although the award-winning chef saw a little ray of light having opened his new flagship restaurant, Galileo III, two months ago, this is one more pile to hit the fan for Donna in recent years — the second in only the past month. Twice before, Donna has plead guilty to withholding collected meal taxes from Arlington County, the most recent in November which resulted in a five-year suspended sentence.

Interestingly, Donna has tried to distance himself, or the very least his name, from the business practices at Galileo III. With no ownership stake in the restaurant, Donna is a salaried employee, while his longtime business associate Corrado Bonino and wife Nancy Sabbagh are the names headlining the restaurant’s ledgers. “People learn from their mistakes, let’s not dwell on the past and looking forward to a brighter responsible future,” said Donna in a recent web chat.

Unfortunately, while his food is sublime and celebrated across the city, half of being a good restauranteur is learning to properly manage the till. It’s good to see, at least on the surface, that Donna has put down the calculator and picked up the knife once again.