Strippers sue Grand Junction club for back wages

Strippers who say they were paid only in tips and had to pay to work at a Grand Junction club have filed a class action lawsuit against the club and its owner.

In the federal lawsuit announced Tuesday, five women who used to work at Fantasy Gentleman’s Club said they received no wages and had to pay varying rates to work at the club and then give bouncers up to 15 percent of their tips to its bouncers and disc jockeys.

Owner Kevin Eardley says the women signed contracts agreeing to the terms and made between $300 and $800 a night after paying fees.

The lawsuit claims the women were wrongly classified as independent contractors and seeks back wages, tips and overtime. Lawyers believe over 50 women who worked at the club over the last three years are eligible to join the suit.