ST. THOMAS — A dispute over $3,688.98 in unpaid wages at St. Thomas Social has resulted in a $246,735.89 judgment against the restaurant's parent company, Social Hospitality Group, Inc., after a Superior Court judge found that the business falsely represented payments to a former employee and was responsible for violent threats its president, Brett Matthew McClafferty, made against her partner.
Judge Sigrid Tejo issued the ruling Friday, following an August 17 bench trial in a lawsuit brought by former bar manager and mixologist Kirrye’ Majors and her partner, Robert Sargent.
Ms. Majors began working at St. Thomas Social in March 2024 under a contract providing an annual salary of $50,000, payable every two weeks. By October, she was owed outstanding wages and was informed by Mr. McClafferty that a wire transfer of $1,596.82 had been made. He provided a screenshot purportedly confirming the transaction, but the money never reached her account.
The company subsequently issued Ms. Majors a check for $1,516.82, which was returned unpaid. Judge Tejo found that the purported wire transfer never existed and that the check “was never intended to be paid when issued.”
In early November 2024, Mr. Sargent contacted Mr. McClafferty through Facebook Messenger, demanding payment of his partner's outstanding wages. Mr. McClafferty responded with a series of profanity-laden messages containing threats of violence and homophobic slurs.
Among the threats was a warning that he would “erase you and everyone you love.”
The judge found that the messages caused Mr. Sargent and Ms. Majors “severe emotional distress,” as both believed Mr. McClafferty possessed the temperament and means to carry out his threats. Mr. Sargent testified that he feared for his safety, that of Ms. Majors and even his dogs, particularly because Mr. McClafferty knew where they lived.
Later that November, Social Hospitality's accountant confirmed that Ms. Majors was owed $3,688.98. Mr. McClafferty acknowledged the outstanding amount and indicated that he would process payment, but the money was never paid.
Ms. Majors filed a small claims lawsuit in May 2025, which was subsequently transferred to Superior Court after Social Hospitality sought to have legal counsel represent it. Mr. Sargent was later added as a plaintiff, with the amended complaint seeking damages for breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Following the bench trial, Judge Tejo determined that the company breached its contractual obligation to pay Ms. Majors. She also found that the fabricated wire transfer confirmation and worthless check constituted fraudulent misrepresentation and violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
The threats made by Mr. McClafferty, including statements about killing or seriously injuring Mr. Sargent and those close to him, were described by the court as “extreme and outrageous conduct beyond all bounds of decency.”
Judge Tejo concluded that Mr. McClafferty was acting as Social Hospitality's president in communications concerning the company's business, making his conduct attributable to the corporation.
The court also found that the deliberate withholding of wages, coupled with false representations about payment, caused Ms. Majors severe emotional distress.
Nearly $247,000 in Damages
Judge Tejo awarded Ms. Majors $3,688.98 in unpaid wages and $657.93 in prejudgment interest. She also awarded $68,900 for emotional distress resulting from the withheld wages and false payments.
An additional $25,000 in compensatory damages was awarded to Ms. Majors for the intentional infliction of emotional distress associated with Mr. McClafferty's threatening messages, along with $98,488.98 in punitive damages.
Mr. Sargent received $25,000 in compensatory damages and another $25,000 in punitive damages arising from the threats.
The awards totaled $196,735.89 for Ms. Majors and $50,000 for Mr. Sargent, bringing Social Hospitality's liability to $246,735.89.
The court also determined that the plaintiffs are entitled to recover attorney's fees and costs, although the amounts remain to be decided.
The judgment applies to Social Hospitality Group, Inc., rather than Mr. McClafferty personally. Claims against him individually remain pending because his Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings have stayed that portion of the litigation.
McClafferty Disputes Judgement
Following the ruling, Mr. McClafferty issued a statement challenging the court's findings and indicating that his attorneys intend to pursue further legal action.
“While we respect the court, our attorneys believe the court’s judgement is both legally and factually erroneous, and our attorneys are prepared to take the necessary action to rectify the matter,” he said.
“First, it’s important to note that we won this issue at the Department of Labor. Second, the notion that a wrongful small claims case of $3,900 can turn into a $200k+ judgement is ridiculous on its face,” Mr. McClafferty continued.
The October 16 judgment does not establish the Department of Labor outcome cited by Mr. McClafferty. The judge's findings were based on evidence presented during the Superior Court proceedings, including testimony from both plaintiffs, company vice president and co-owner Sunil Sharma, and documentary evidence of the disputed payments and threatening messages.
The judgment adds to Mr. McClafferty's legal difficulties, which include personal and business bankruptcy proceedings and an unrelated pending criminal prosecution.
