John Benevento, of East Rutherford, N.J., was arraigned Saturday on charges he stole tips from parking valets at two restaurants at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said the 32-year-old Benevento forced the valets to give him a percentage of their tips every week or lose their jobs.
Rice said forcing workers to pay a fee to keep their jobs will not be allowed.
Benevento pleaded not guilty to the charge of fourth-degree grand larceny. He is due back in court Tuesday.
His attorney, Rovshan Sharifov said Benevento denies the charges against him.
