A former personal chef, Hermie Fajardo, has filed a lawsuit against filmmaker Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination based on his service in the U.S. Army Reserves. The civil complaint, filed in federal court in Manhattan, claims that Fajardo was fired because Allen and Previn deemed him unfit due to his military obligations and concerns about his pay.
Fajardo was hired as the couple's full-time chef in June 2024 at an annual salary of $85,000, despite the knowledge that he would require time off for military training exercises. However, he was terminated just a month later after returning from a training session that lasted longer than expected.
Upon his return to work, Fajardo allegedly faced hostility and resentment from Allen, Previn, and their home manager. The complaint also states that Fajardo had raised issues regarding his pay, including concerns about tax withholdings and a $300 discrepancy in his salary.
The lawsuit accuses Allen, Previn, and the home manager of violating federal and state employment laws, as well as causing Fajardo emotional distress and financial losses. Despite the allegations, representatives for Allen have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Fajardo claims that he was praised for his cooking skills by the defendants and their guests before being fired. He disputes the claim that his cooking was subpar, stating that he was only informed of this after hiring a lawyer to address his termination.
