Morton’s to Take a $1.1-Million Charge

Morton’s Restaurant Group said it will take a fourth-quarter pretax charge of at least $1.1 million after a federal jury in California awarded damages to a former employee of the restaurant chain. The New York-based company, which operates the Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse and Bertolini’s Authentic Trattoria chains, said it will appeal the jury award of $250,000 in compensatory damages, $850,000 in punitive damages and an additional charge to cover the plaintiff’s legal fees and costs, which the company didn’t disclose. Although Morton’s didn’t outline the charges in detail, it said the suit alleged that the company violated labor laws. The former employee worked at a Morton’s of Chicago restaurant in California. Morton’s shares fell 19 cents to close at $22.63 on the New York Stock Exchange.