St. Thomas Social hit with $247K judgment over unpaid wages and threats

A St. Thomas restaurant's parent company faces a $246,735.89 judgment after a Superior Court judge determined that the business created fake proof of wage payments and that its president made violent threats against an employee's partner.

Judge Sigrid Tejo delivered the ruling on Friday following a bench trial in the dispute involving Kirrye' Majors, who worked as a bar manager and mixologist at St. Thomas Social, and her partner, Robert Sargent.

Ms. Majors joined the restaurant in March 2024 on a contract worth $50,000 annually, paid fortnightly. By October 2024, she had accrued unpaid wages. The restaurant's president, Brett Matthew McClafferty, told her he had sent a wire transfer of $1,596.82 and showed her a screenshot to prove it. The transfer never materialized in her account.

Social Hospitality Group, Inc., the parent company, then gave Ms. Majors a check for $1,516.82. The check bounced. Judge Tejo found that neither the wire transfer nor the check were genuine, with the latter "was never intended to be paid when issued."

When Mr. Sargent contacted Mr. McClafferty via Facebook Messenger in early November 2024 to demand the missing wages, the restaurant president responded with messages containing violent threats and homophobic language. Among his statements was a warning that he would "erase you and everyone you love."

Both Mr. Sargent and Ms. Majors experienced "severe emotional distress" from the messages, the judge found. Mr. Sargent testified he feared for his own safety, Ms. Majors' safety, and even his dogs, noting that Mr. McClafferty knew their home address.

Later in November, Social Hospitality's accountant confirmed Ms. Majors was owed $3,688.98. Mr. McClafferty acknowledged the sum and said he would pay it, but he did not.

Ms. Majors filed a small claims action in May 2025. The case moved to Superior Court after Social Hospitality retained legal counsel. Mr. Sargent was subsequently joined as a plaintiff.

Judge Tejo concluded that Social Hospitality breached its contractual duty to pay Ms. Majors and that the fake wire transfer and worthless check amounted to fraudulent misrepresentation. She characterized Mr. McClafferty's threats as "extreme and outrageous conduct beyond all bounds of decency" and held the corporation responsible because he was acting in his capacity as president.

Ms. Majors received $3,688.98 for unpaid wages, $657.93 in prejudgment interest, $68,900 for emotional distress tied to the withheld pay and false payment claims, $25,000 in compensatory damages for distress caused by the threatening messages, and $98,488.98 in punitive damages. Mr. Sargent was awarded $25,000 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages for the threats directed at him.

The judgment binds Social Hospitality Group, Inc., not Mr. McClafferty personally. His individual liability remains on hold because his Chapter 13 bankruptcy case has paused that portion of the lawsuit. The court also said the plaintiffs can recover attorney's fees and court costs, with the amounts to be set later.

In a statement, Mr. McClafferty disputed the judgment, saying his lawyers believe the court's findings are "both legally and factually erroneous" and plan to pursue further legal action. He pointed out that the company prevailed on the same issue at the Department of Labor and questioned how a $3,900 small claims dispute could yield a judgment exceeding $200,000.