In a striking legal move, two former exotic dancers have filed a class and collective action lawsuit against a well-known gentlemen’s club in Illinois, alleging widespread violations of wage payment laws. The complaint was lodged by Saira De La Mora Jeffries and Cynthia De La Mora on December 3, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against AEG Ventures, LLC, doing business as The Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club.
The plaintiffs allege that during their employment at the club from December 2015 to April 2025, they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees. This misclassification led to numerous violations of their rights under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL), and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA). According to the complaint, AEG Ventures failed to pay any wages or provide compensation at both federal and state minimum wage rates. Furthermore, they are accused of unlawfully deducting portions of tips earned by dancers from customers and charging mandatory “house fees” per shift.
The lawsuit details how these practices affected not only Jeffries and Mora but also over one hundred similarly situated individuals employed as exotic dancers at The Atlantis Gentlemen’s Club. The plaintiffs assert that these actions were deliberate and part of a broader policy enforced by the club’s management. “Defendant’s ownership and management directed, controlled, and made all monetary investments relating to day-to-day operations,” states the complaint. This included setting rules for dancer performances and managing customer interactions within the club.
Jeffries and Mora seek judgment against AEG Ventures for failing to pay minimum wage compensation and for unlawfully taking portions of their earnings. They are asking for reimbursement of deducted wages, statutory liquidated damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs associated with bringing this lawsuit, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Jeffries and Mora are attorneys Taryn R. Dissett from Hassler Kondras Miller LLP based in Terre Haute, Indiana; Robert P. Kondras Jr., also from Hassler Kondras Miller LLP; and Gregg C. Greenberg from Zipin, Amster & Greenberg LLC located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The case is being presided over under Case No.: 1:25-cv-14669.
Source: 125cv14669_Saira_de_la_Mora_v_AEG_Ventures_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
