The drama surrounding the sudden closure of Voltaire Beach House in San Diego's Ocean Beach continues to unfold and now includes allegations of theft and assault in addition to unpaid wages.
We broke the news earlier in the week that Voltaire Beach House in Ocean Beach had permanently closed amid accusations that ownership failed to pay its staff. The restaurant, which first opened in January 2017 as a Nantucket-inspired, open-air bar and restaurant, shut its doors unexpectedly last week. According to former employees, the establishment's management stopped paying wages more than a month before the closure.
"We haven’t been paid in a month, so the place was shut down without us knowing, and it all came as a big surprise for us," former employee Rachel Bohrman told KUSI/Fox 5 San Diego. "We’re all kind of struggling at the moment."
We broke the news earlier in the week that Voltaire Beach House in Ocean Beach had permanently closed amid accusations that ownership failed to pay its staff. The restaurant, which first opened in January 2017 as a Nantucket-inspired, open-air bar and restaurant, shut its doors unexpectedly last week. According to former employees, the establishment's management stopped paying wages more than a month before the closure.
"We haven’t been paid in a month, so the place was shut down without us knowing, and it all came as a big surprise for us," former employee Rachel Bohrman told KUSI/Fox 5 San Diego. "We’re all kind of struggling at the moment."
The restaurant, initially founded by David Schiffman, George Somers, and other investors, had been under new ownership since January 2023, when it was sold to a group that includes original owner George Somers, as well as Michael Saulpaw, Richard Borba, Jeremiah Archie, and Albert Leonard. Borba also owns Gaslamp Tavern and Paddock on 5th in downtown San Diego.
Despite the ownership change, problems persisted, culminating in allegations of unpaid wages and mismanagement. Public records and social media posts from employees indicated that late payments were a recurring issue. In California, employment and wage laws require timely payment, with severe penalties for failure to do so.
However, George Somers, the primary manager at Voltaire Beach House, disputed the claims, telling KUSI/Fox San Diego that it was the employees who were taking advantage of him.
However, George Somers, the primary manager at Voltaire Beach House, disputed the claims, telling KUSI/Fox San Diego that it was the employees who were taking advantage of him.
"Forty overtime hours in two weeks? Look at all my employees, all my employees have overtime hours. They don’t clock out. They’ve been ripping me off," Somers said.
In addition to wage disputes, Somers was also accused of theft by Meryl Hamilton, co-owner of The Artist Outpost, a neighboring business that leased adjacent space from Voltaire Beach House ownership. Hamilton told KUSI/Fox San Diego that Somers was seen loading her company's property into a truck and driving away. Others reported on social media seeing the U-Haul loading goods from Voltaire Beach House.
In addition to wage disputes, Somers was also accused of theft by Meryl Hamilton, co-owner of The Artist Outpost, a neighboring business that leased adjacent space from Voltaire Beach House ownership. Hamilton told KUSI/Fox San Diego that Somers was seen loading her company's property into a truck and driving away. Others reported on social media seeing the U-Haul loading goods from Voltaire Beach House.
"He came in earlier today, took all of the stuff out, put it in a van and a pickup truck, and now he's gone," Hamilton said. "We pay them our rent religiously every month. They did not pay it forward to our master landlord, and now, today, not only are they getting evicted but we’re getting evicted."
Former employee Jeremy Souza also shared his hardships, stating that the lack of pay had forced him out of his home.
"I had to move out of my house and I’m staying on my friend's couch now because I can't pay my rent," Souza told KUSI/Fox San Diego. "I'm not the only one he's burdened."
Souza also accused Somers of physical assault, which resulted in hospitalization.
Souza also accused Somers of physical assault, which resulted in hospitalization.
"I almost had to get stitches. I broke my thumb from them just kicking and punching me. They tried to break my leg and my ankle, stomping on me," Souza said in a statement to KUSI/Fox San Diego.
As the situation unfolds, legal actions and investigations may follow, given the serious nature of the allegations. There has been no confirmation on whether Voltaire Beach House plans to reopen or if its current ownership will face legal repercussions for wage violations and other accusations.
For further updates, visit Voltaire Beach House's website or stay tuned for more information as this story develops.
