LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Three Louisville coffee shops have been accused of violating federal laws.

Heine Brothers, Please & Thank You and Sunergos Coffee are accused of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The U.S. Department of Labor claims the coffee shops allowed managers to keep a portion of tips earned by workers.

"Federal law protects earned tips to make sure they are paid to the workers who received them for their good service," said Wage and Hour District Director Karen Garnett-Civils in Louisville, Kentucky. "Employers must follow the required criteria for operating tip pools or face costly consequences."

Between two stores, the department recovered $108,700 for 55 Please & Thank You employees while it recovered $79,700 for 70 Sunergos workers.

The division also recently recovered $300,000 after finding Heine Brothers also diverted tips to managers.

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