A West Hempstead restaurant owner has been charged for the second time in less than two years with allegedly underpaying employees and defrauding workers out of tens of thousands of dollars, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Mahmut Unver, also known as Max Unver, and Red Lions Food Corp., which operates Anatolia Mediterranean & Grill, were arraigned April 8, 2026, in Nassau County Court. Prosecutors allege the defendants underpaid workers by more than $58,000 and stole an additional $50,000 through a fraudulent ownership scheme.
Unver faces charges including grand larceny in the second degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, two counts of failure to pay wages, and willful failure to pay unemployment insurance contributions. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. His next court date is scheduled for April 27, 2026.
Alleged Wage Theft
According to prosecutors, one employee worked for the business between May and December 2025 in multiple roles, including chef, cleaner, and server, under an agreement to be paid $1,500 per week. Authorities say the worker received just $4,200 total, leaving an alleged shortfall of approximately $33,200.
A second employee, who worked as a server and busser between May and October 2025, was allegedly paid only $913 despite working long hours, often 11 to 12 hours per day, six days a week. Based on minimum wage requirements, prosecutors say the employee should have earned more than $25,000.
Combined, investigators estimate the total unpaid wages at roughly $58,357.
Alleged $50K Fraud Scheme
Prosecutors also allege Unver orchestrated a separate scheme to defraud two employees by promising them ownership stakes in the business.
In late May 2025, Unver allegedly drafted a handwritten agreement offering one employee a 50% ownership stake in exchange for $50,000. A later agreement in June 2025 reportedly divided ownership among Unver and the two employees, with each worker receiving a 25% share.
Authorities say the employees paid the $50,000 but were never granted ownership. Instead, both were allegedly fired in late 2025 after raising concerns about unpaid wages. Prosecutors allege the money was never returned.
Additional Violations and Prior Case
The investigation also found that Red Lions Food Corp. allegedly failed to pay approximately $2,196 in unemployment insurance contributions between December 2024 and December 2025, despite being notified by the New York State Department of Labor.
This case follows a prior prosecution against Unver and his business. In November 2024, Unver, Red Lions Food Corp., and a co-defendant were charged with underpaying workers by more than $60,000 and failing to pay nearly $14,000 in unemployment insurance contributions. That case was indicted in January 2026 and remains pending.
Legal Stakes
If convicted on the top charge of grand larceny in the second degree, Unver faces a potential sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Major Financial Frauds Bureau.
Unver surrendered to authorities on April 8, 2026.
The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
