London, Aug. 4 (ANI): A high-profile chain of New York restaurants that Hollywood star Robert De Niro partly owns has been sued for cheating more than 100 of its employees out of tips.

The lawsuit was filed on Thursday by Alisa Agofonova and Aaron Pou, two former waiters at Nobu, who allege that they were forced to share tips with restaurant management, and that the chain failed to pay employees overtime.

The litigant duo is seeking unspecified damages on behalf of workers at Nobu Corp's downtown Manhattan businesses, Nobu and Nobu Next Door, and its midtown location, Nobu 57.

The Nobu chain comprises of 11 restaurants in the US and eight abroad, including three in London. De Niro is a part owner of the Manhattan restaurants.

Agofonova and Pou said that they doubted De Niro knew about the practice.

They further said that they wanted their lawsuit be designated as a class action so that current and past employees could also benefit from it without putting their jobs or reputations at risk.

A lawyer for Nobu has said the restaurants would vigorously defend the litigation.

"We firmly believe that the restaurant has been in full compliance with all state and federal wage and hour laws and that our position will be vindicated in the court system," the Telegraph quoted her as saying. (ANI)