Update: Jay-Z Fights 40/40 Wage Suit, Says He Plays “No Role In Payroll”

Posted: July 31, 2007 in: Jay Z | By: Jason |

Jay-Z is fighting an illegal wage practices lawsuit levied against him by a former 40/40 employee, claiming he does not oversee payroll issues for the business.

According to the New York Post, attorneys for Jay (born Shawn Carter) filed court papers yesterday asking that a federal judge dismiss the lawsuit since Carter and business partner Juan Perez are shareholders in the Manhattan nightspot, and do not play any part in staffing issues.

In documents filed yesterday, attorneys for Jay-Z and 40/40 speculated that the rap mogul may have been targeted because of his high profile.

"It may be plaintiffs named these individuals as defendants solely because Shawn Carter is a public figure and plaintiffs hoped to draw publicity to extract a quick settlement," court documents read. While Jay is "a Grammy Award-winning rapper and businessman who is of obvious interest to the media and the public," the documents added, he and Perez have "no role in payroll whatsoever," nor is he "a statutory employer."

Former 40/40 waitress Celeste Williams filed a class-action lawsuit against Jay and his business partner Juan Perez in May, claiming that the NYC sports bar paid their staff below minimum wage.

In related news, Hov says he's staying put at Island Def Jam for the time being, despite reports that he was headed for a new position at Columbia Records.

The rapper and businessman cancelled a scheduled interview Friday (July 27) with Hot 97's Angie Martinez that would have touched on those rumors. However, Martinez did manage to briefly question Jay by phone and the label head confirmed that for now, Def Jam is home.

"If they don't kick me out the building [I will be there next week]," Jay-Z told Martinez.

When asked directly if he was planning a move to Columbia Hov answered, "I'm always looking at the next move," he said and stated that he liked his job at the label but he added that the media has blown the idea of him leaving Def Jam out of proportion.

"I'm nowhere near that. That's the papers, they are ahead of me."

Hov's talk with Martinez has been rescheduled for this Friday, August 3 on Hot 97.