If the U.S. Labor Department doesn’t confirm or deny an investigation and “will not comment further ... to protect the innocent” (Herald, June 15), then why is the Herald sensationalizing an investigation of a local business owner? Doesn’t the Herald understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty with its report on the Cyprus Café or, as another example, its past reporting on Fort Lewis College President Dene Thomas who was ultimately exonerated of the charges instigated by a disgruntled student?
Interesting that the Herald noted the confusion about the minimum-wage-tip-kitchen-staff laws but spun that negatively in regard to Cyprus. Many tips are paid in cash, anyway, so splitting them with anyone is up to the individual employee – not the employer. I also know that the IRS has sent a special agent specifically to Durango for an ongoing investigation of many local employers who miscategorize employees as independent contractors so they don’t have to pay their fair share of Social Security/disability taxes. Maybe the Cyprus case is just part of that investigation overlap/crossfire. In any case, first, the American public would be better served with an investigation of illegal immigrants in the workforce. This is a much more clear violation of the law. Second, the Herald is guilty of supposition and implying a verdict based on unproven allegations. I, for one, will have dinner at the Cyprus this week, just to support Alison Dance and her staff.
Cynthia Adams
Pagosa Springs
