Chicago chef says nonprofit owes him thousands of dollars after missed catering payments

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago chef says a local nonprofit stopped paying him for catering services, leaving him owed thousands of dollars and prompting him to file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

Sean Myers, owner of Blaxican Chi Catering, told the I-Team that Unity Parenting and Counseling hired him about two years ago to prepare meals for its members. According to the organization's website, Unity Parenting and Counseling provides "at risk young people and struggling families with the stability and support structure they need to live more meaningful lives."

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Myers said cooking has been his lifelong passion. He began his career as a cook at Charlie Trotter's restaurant and later launched his own catering business.

"I love to cook. I've never had any other job in my life. I've been cooking since 12 years old," Myers said. "I work a lot. My wife says I work too much, but it's a very gratifying feeling to be able to build something for yourself."

Myers said the opportunity to work with young people through the nonprofit was especially meaningful.

"It was kids that lost their parents or they wasn't doing well at home, but when they saw me and everything I gave I put my heart into," he said.

According to Myers, he was supposed to receive $2,137 every Friday for his services. He said the nonprofit was often late with payments, but he continued working because he cared about the teenagers being served and wanted to give the organization time to catch up.

However, Myers said the organization stopped paying altogether last year.

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"When we get paid, you'll get paid. I had to explain to her. 'I've been paying for everything out of my own money.' And she didn't care. She was extremely nasty to me," Myers said, recalling what he says a manager told him.

Myers said the organization missed several payments, totaling more than $8,700. After months without a response, he reached out to the I-Team for help.

In a statement to the I-Team, Unity Parenting and Counseling apologized to Myers for delays in payment, citing organizational and staffing changes within the past year.

Myers said that shortly after the statement was issued, he received an email from the nonprofit offering to pay him $2,300 less than he says he is owed if he agreed to stop communicating with news outlets. Myers said he did not agree to those terms and did not sign.

"It makes me angry. It makes me extremely angry," Myers said. "Like I'm an idiot and I don't know better."

After the I-Team again contacted the organization, Myers said he received a check for $2,137. He said he is still owed more than $6,000 and wants to be paid in full.

"I'm always on time. I work extremely hard. I've got a daughter that's getting ready to go to college and that's the most Important thing to me," Myers said.

The Illinois Attorney General's Office said it is reviewing Myers' complaint.

The I-Team also asked Unity Parenting and Counseling when Myers can expect to be paid in full. A response had not been received.

If you have a problem you want Samantha Chatman and the I-Team to investigate, call 312-750-7847 or click here.