Restaurateur and reality star Zach Erdem sues Greenport over 'targeted' enforcement
ZErdem in Greenport earlier in June. Credit: Randee Daddona
A reality television star and Long Island restaurateur has sued the Village of Greenport and its mayor in federal court, alleging the municipality “targeted” his Mediterranean restaurant in an effort to shut it down.
Zeynel — or Zach — Erdem sued the village and Mayor Kevin Stuessi on June 23. Erdem is a star of HBO Max's “Serving the Hamptons,” which follows him and the staff of his Southampton restaurant, 75 Main. Erdem also operates the Blu Mar Hamptons restaurant in Southampton.
The suit alleged that Greenport had issued “bogus tickets” and shut down ZErdem, his restaurant, during one of its first opening weekends in June 2023, according to the 18-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.
Erdem alleged the village violated state and federal due process laws, and that his restaurant was treated differently than other nearby ones. He is seeking damages “in excess of $5 million,” according to the complaint.
In an email Monday, Brian S. Stolar, a lawyer representing the village, said, "The claims have no merit and the village will defend against any such claims in court."
Stuessi did not respond to a request for comment.
In 2023, the village sued Erdem in Suffolk Supreme Court over alleged code violations, online court records show.
Timothy Hill, Erdem's attorney, said in a phone interview the village's actions were "an example of shocking disregard of the proper and constitutional procedures that need to be followed."
The case follows a separate lawsuit in Suffolk Supreme Court in which a former code enforcement officer, Bernardo Bolanos, is suing the village for wrongful termination. Bolanos alleged the mayor, in a recent filing, “interfered” with his authority by asking him to selectively enforce the village's rules.
Bolanos cited issues with Erdem’s restaurant, alleging the mayor directed him "to target" Erdem for building code violations. Bolanos’ suit alleges he was “wrongfully terminated” from his role on Feb. 20.
Hill said authorities "stormed" into ZErdem without a warrant in June 2023. Hill said the village “timed its unlawful raid and closure so as to disable the restaurant on one of its first opening weekends.”
The lawsuit cites letters the village sent to the New York State Liquor Authority in an effort to "destroy" Erdem's business. The statements in the letter, the lawsuit alleged, were "made with malice" and "knowingly false." Hill said in the complaint that the statements delayed ZErdem, which has been open for the past two summers, from securing its liquor license.
The village affixed a placard to the restaurant’s door indicating it was closed for code violations, Hill said in the filing. Erdem wasn’t given prior notice about the alleged violations or an opportunity to defend himself, he wrote.
“The placard was meant by the Village to serve as a scarlet letter,” Hill said in the federal complaint.
After the village closed ZErdem, the village issued 24 tickets “for trifling matters such as whether there was an enclosure around a garbage can, for signage, or for outdoor music," Hill wrote.
Nearby restaurants weren’t issued violations despite having similar conditions on their properties, according to the filing.
Newsday's Carl MacGowan contributed to this story.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
