Oz Gentlemen’s Club Lawsuit 2026: Case Status, Settlement Facts and Your Options
Quick Answer
- Yes, a 2021 federal wage lawsuit named Oz’s Gentlemen’s Club in Clearwater, Florida.
- Settlement amounts weren’t disclosed in the records I reviewed. Payout per person is not yet confirmed.
- No claim deadline exists. The court dismissed the case with prejudice on November 1, 2023.
The Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit is real, but it’s closed. Dancer Destinee Dale sued the club’s operator in federal court in September 2021 over wages.
It affected five dancers who joined the case. No claim form exists today, and no one can join it. A judge approved the individual settlements and dismissed the case in November 2023.
This guide covers the court record, what the case alleged, why some 2026 pages describe it as active, and what dancers can do now. One surprise: the court narrowed the releases the parties first agreed to.
| The Facts | |
|---|---|
| Case | Dale v. Gulf Coast Holdings, LLC d/b/a Oz’s Gentlemen’s Club, No. 8:21-cv-02246 (M.D. Fla., Tampa Division) |
| Status | Closed. Settlements approved and case dismissed with prejudice, November 1, 2023 |
| Fund Size | Not yet confirmed (individual settlements, amounts not disclosed in records reviewed) |
| Est. Per Person | Not yet determined |
| Claim Deadline | None. Case closed |
| Administrator | None. No class settlement |
| Proof Needed | Not applicable. No claim process exists |
Is there an Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit in 2026?
There’s no open Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit that I could verify in 2026. The one case on the public record closed in 2023.
That case is Dale v. Gulf Coast Holdings, LLC d/b/a Oz’s Gentlemen’s Club, No. 8:21-cv-02246. It was filed September 22, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. The docket lists Christopher P. Tuite as the judge.
The suit named the club’s operating company and its owner, Paul Scagnelli. It claimed the club failed to pay dancers minimum wage and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.
I searched for newer filings, class actions and personal injury suits tied to the club. I found none. A June 2025 news story involved a patron’s 911 call, not a lawsuit against the club.
If you’ve seen a 2026 headline about an Oz lawsuit, check the court name and case number. They should match the details above.
Is the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit real or a scam?
The lawsuit is real, and it’s documented in federal court records. The scam risk is in pages that describe it as open and payable.
Here’s what I verified:
- Verified: a federal case was filed in Tampa on September 22, 2021.
- Verified: five dancers took part, and the case went through arbitration-related steps.
- Verified: a judge approved individual settlements and dismissed the case in November 2023.
- Not verified: any current class action, claim form or deadline.
A 2026 page says the case is in discovery and class certification, and lists payout tiers and a filing deadline. I couldn’t match any of that to a docket. The docket shows closure.
If a site asks for a fee to “join” the Oz lawsuit, walk away. No claim process exists to join.
Is the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit still open?
No. The court closed the case on November 1, 2023. A judge ordered dismissal with prejudice.
The path to closure had several steps:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 22, 2021 | Dale files an FLSA collective action |
| Late 2021 | Four more dancers consent to join |
| After joining | Case stayed for arbitration under the parties’ agreements |
| Oct. 17, 2023 | Case reopened to seek settlement approval |
| Nov. 1, 2023 | Court approves modified settlements and dismisses the case with prejudice |
“With prejudice” means the plaintiffs can’t refile the same claims. The court also directed the clerk to close the case.
Because it’s closed, no deadline is running. Nothing is pending that a new person could join.
Key Takeaway: The Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit is real but closed, and no claim form or deadline exists.
How much was the Oz Gentlemen’s Club settlement?
Not yet confirmed. The records I reviewed didn’t state the settlement amounts.
Each plaintiff signed an individual agreement. That’s different from a class settlement with one public fund. The summaries I found don’t list dollar figures, so I won’t guess.
What I can verify:
| Detail | What the record shows |
|---|---|
| Structure | Individual settlement agreements, not a class fund |
| Court review | Judge found them fair and reasonable |
| Basis for the deal | Counsel’s review of the club’s time sheets and trial risks |
| Attorney’s fees | None sought from the court |
| Payment status | Settlements already paid, per a case summary |
Some pages publish payout tiers. They don’t cite a settlement document. Treat them as invented.
Think of it like a private warranty deal. The court checked that it was fair, but it didn’t publish a payout chart for the public.
Can you still get money from the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit?
No. You can’t get money from that case now. It’s closed, and the settlements went to the plaintiffs who signed them.
Only the five dancers who joined the case were part of the settlements. There was no class notice and no claim period. Nobody else was entitled to a share.
If you worked at the club and think you were underpaid, you may have your own claim. That would be a new, separate case. It wouldn’t be a payout from this one.
Whether you have such a claim depends on your own facts. It depends on dates, pay records and any agreements you signed. A licensed attorney can review them.
Reality Check: Nobody can text you Oz Gentlemen’s Club settlement money, because the case closed in 2023 and no fund is open. Filing a claim in a real settlement is always free. Anyone charging a “claim fee” is a red flag.
Who was part of the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit?
Five dancers were plaintiffs, and the defendants were the club’s operating company and its owner. The case was a collective action, which only includes people who opt in.
Destinee Dale filed first. Alana McRae and Julie Zats appear in the court record, and other dancers consented to join. A fifth dancer opted in later.
The named defendants were:
- Gulf Coast Holdings, LLC, doing business as Oz’s Gentlemen’s Club
- Paul Scagnelli, identified as the owner
- Unnamed “Doe” managers and others
Attorneys on the case included John P. Kristensen of Carpenter & Zuckerman for the plaintiffs, per the docket. Defense counsel for Doe managers was Luke Charles Lirot.
An FLSA collective action works differently from a class action. People must file written consent to join. Nobody is added automatically.
Key Takeaway: Only dancers who opted in were part of the Oz case, and it’s now closed to everyone.
Is there a class action or claim form for the Oz Gentlemen’s Club?
No. There’s no class action, claim form or settlement website for the Oz Gentlemen’s Club. The case was an FLSA collective action that settled individually.
A class action usually has an administrator, a notice and a claim deadline. A collective action has an opt-in step, and the case here closed years ago.
Here’s the quick comparison:
| Class action | FLSA collective (this case) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you join | Often automatic | Written opt-in |
| Claim form | Often yes | No |
| Administrator | Usually | None |
| Status here | Not applicable | Closed Nov. 1, 2023 |
If a site shows a claim form for Oz, ask who runs it. A real one names a court, a case number and an administrator.
Reputable settlement notices arrive by mail or from a named administrator. They never ask for money upfront.
What can you do if you worked at a club and think you were misclassified?
You can gather your records and talk to a licensed employment attorney. Misclassification claims depend on how the work was actually done.
Law Compensate isn’t a law firm. This is the process as reported, not legal advice.
Here are the steps:
- List your dates of work and the club’s name.
- Save fee receipts, house fee records and tip-out notes.
- Keep copies of any contract or lease you signed.
- Note who set prices, schedules and rules.
- Check whether you agreed to arbitration.
- Consider a consultation with a licensed attorney.
- Contact the U.S. Department of Labor if you want an agency review.
- Don’t sign a release before you understand it.
Think of it like a store return without a receipt. Your position is stronger when you bring records.
The Oz complaint alleged the club set VIP performance prices and required dancers to share tips with DJs, “house moms” and security. Those are allegations, not findings.
How long do you have to file a wage claim under the FLSA?
The FLSA generally gives two years to file, or three for willful violations. That’s under the federal statute of limitations for these claims.
This is a general rule from federal law. Your deadline depends on your facts. An attorney can check how it applies.
Key points:
- Two years is the usual period from the date of each underpaid workday.
- Three years may apply if the violation was willful.
- Arbitration clauses can change where a claim goes, as happened in the Oz case.
- State claims may carry different time limits.
The Oz plaintiffs filed in 2021. A new claim based on the same conduct in 2021 would likely face timing problems. Anything newer depends on dates.
Florida also has its own wage rules. Check the current state minimum wage before you rely on any figure.
Key Takeaway: There’s no Oz claim deadline, but your own wage claim may have a federal time limit that’s already running.
What was the final ruling in Dale v. Gulf Coast Holdings?
The court approved the settlements as modified and dismissed the case with prejudice. The order came November 1, 2023.
The judge granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ Second Amended Motion to Reopen Case, Motion for Approval of Settlement of FLSA Claims, and for Dismissal with Prejudice. The court approved the settlement agreements as changed at oral argument.
The changes matter. Under Eleventh Circuit precedent in Lynn’s Food Stores v. United States, courts review FLSA settlements for fairness. Here the court limited the releases:
- The parties agreed to narrow broad general releases.
- The releases now cover only FLSA claims and related state wage and hour claims.
- A clause retaining the court’s jurisdiction was dropped as inadvertent.
- No attorney’s fees were sought from the court.
That narrowing protected the dancers from signing away unrelated claims. It’s the kind of detail a press release wouldn’t mention.
Did the Oz Gentlemen’s Club case go to arbitration?
Yes, the case was stayed so the parties could pursue arbitration under their agreements. That detail comes from a case summary of the 2023 order.
After four dancers joined Dale, the court paused the case. The summary says it was stayed for arbitration per the parties’ agreements. A fifth dancer opted in later.
After arbitration-related proceedings, each plaintiff entered an individual settlement. The parties then asked the court to approve them.
Arbitration clauses are common in disputes between workers and businesses. They can move a case out of court and into a private process. That’s why this case ended with individual deals, not a public class fund.
I couldn’t find the arbitration agreements or an arbitrator’s ruling. If those details matter to you, check the full docket.
Why do some 2026 pages say the Oz lawsuit is still active?
Some 2026 pages describe the case as active, but the court record shows it closed in 2023. I couldn’t verify their claims.
One page says the lawsuit is in discovery, class certification and possible early settlement talks. It also lists payout tiers and a filing deadline. It adds harassment allegations that aren’t in the court order I reviewed.
Here’s how those claims compare to the docket:
| Competitor claim | What the record shows |
|---|---|
| Active litigation in 2026 | Terminated Nov. 1, 2023 |
| Class certification phase | Collective action, individually settled |
| Payout tiers | No amounts disclosed |
| Filing deadline | None |
The docket is the better source. It’s an official record, and it names a court and case number.
Pages like these often recycle old cases to catch searches. If a page doesn’t name a case number, be skeptical.
Key Takeaway: The docket shows closure, so any page promising an open Oz payout is unverified.
What did the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit allege?
It alleged the club misclassified dancers as independent contractors and didn’t pay minimum wage or overtime. The claims arose under the FLSA.
According to a Tampa Bay Times report, the suit said the club evaded minimum wage and overtime for dancers who were really employees. It alleged the club set prices for VIP performances. It said dancers had to share tips with disc jockeys, house moms and security, and pay house fees.
The report notes that the FLSA requires paying a tipped employee at least $2.13 an hour in cash wages. That’s the report’s description of the law, so check current rules.
Plaintiffs’ attorney John Kristensen called the idea that dancers just lease space “absurd.” He said a person who leases space controls it.
The club’s defense isn’t spelled out in the sources I reviewed. These are allegations, and the case settled without a ruling on the merits.
Who owns Oz Gentlemen’s Club?
The club’s operator in the court record is Gulf Coast Holdings, LLC, and its owner was named as Paul Scagnelli. The suit called Scagnelli the owner.
Gulf Coast Holdings is described as a Florida limited liability company. It does business as Oz’s Gentlemen’s Club. The club advertises liquor service, VIP and champagne rooms, three stages and sports on 45 TVs, per the Tampa Bay Times.
The club is in the Clearwater area of Pinellas County, Florida. Local news has placed it at an address near Clearwater.
Ownership can change. I verified these names only as they appear in the 2021 case, so check current business records for anything newer.
If you’re researching the club, search the Florida Division of Corporations and county records. Those are public sources.
Is there a personal injury lawsuit against Oz Gentlemen’s Club?
I found no personal injury lawsuit against Oz Gentlemen’s Club. The verified case is a wage dispute.
Searches for injury, assault and negligence claims turned up nothing tied to this club. A 2021 shooting I found involved a different Clearwater club, not Oz.
Don’t mix the businesses up. Names like “gentlemen’s club” appear across many venues. A lawsuit against one doesn’t involve another.
If you were hurt at a venue, a different set of rules applies. Premises liability and negligence claims have their own time limits. A licensed attorney can review yours.
Personal injury and wage cases are different. The Oz case concerned pay, not injuries.
Key Takeaway: The Oz case is a wage lawsuit, and I found no injury suit against the club.
What happens next with the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit?
Nothing is pending in the Oz case, because it’s closed. Any next step would come from a new lawsuit.
Here’s what to watch:
Nothing scheduled: The 2021 case was dismissed with prejudice on November 1, 2023. No hearings remain.
Expected only if filed: A new wage or injury case would get a new case number and court. It wouldn’t reopen this one.
Anytime: Check federal dockets under the club’s operator name for new filings.
Your own timeline: If you think you have a wage claim, the federal limit runs from each pay period. Talk to an attorney soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Oz Gentlemen’s Club settlement I can claim?
No. The Oz case settled individually and closed on November 1, 2023.
No claim form or administrator exists.
Pages offering a payout are unverified.
How much did Oz Gentlemen’s Club pay in the lawsuit?
The amounts weren’t disclosed in the records I reviewed.
Each plaintiff signed an individual agreement.
Payout tiers online aren’t backed by a settlement document.
What was the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit about?
It alleged the club misclassified dancers as independent contractors.
The claims were for unpaid minimum wage and overtime under the FLSA.
They also alleged tip sharing and house fees.
Can I join the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit?
No. The case is closed and was dismissed with prejudice.
Only dancers who opted in were part of it.
A new claim would need a new lawsuit.
Was the Oz Gentlemen’s Club lawsuit a class action?
No. It was an FLSA collective action.
People had to file written consent to join.
It settled individually, not through a class fund.
What court handled the Oz Gentlemen’s Club case?
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division.
The case number is 8:21-cv-02246.
It was filed September 22, 2021.
Will I get a text or email about Oz Gentlemen’s Club settlement money?
You shouldn’t, because no fund is open.
Real notices come by mail or from a named administrator.
Never click unexpected links.
If you worked in the industry and have pay questions, start by saving your records. Dated receipts, contracts and messages matter more than memory.
Then check the court docket for No. 8:21-cv-02246 before trusting any page about this case. It closed on November 1, 2023.
