Houston, Texas – A former stripper at an upscale Houston, Texas nightclub is suing the establishment over claims that management never paid her a penny for years of labor.

Working for tips and tips alone shouldn't be an industry standard, but when it comes to strip clubs, business ethics sometimes fly out the window.

Such is the case for Houston, Texas resident and former dancer at Centerfolds nightclub Grace Roberts, who sued her former employer on Monday for breaking the state's minimum wage law.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Centerfolds, an upscale nightclub that features lavish champagne rooms, failed to pay her for any labor between 2017 and 2020, according to the lawsuit.

Instead, she was expected to earn her pay in tips alone, while also working as a contractor who was required to pay a house fee of at least $28 for each shift she worked.

The lawsuit also claims that Roberts and her colleagues were forced to hand over at least $55 of their tips to other staffers at the club, such as DJs, bouncers, and even the managers.

A labor lawyer named David W. Hodges is representing Roberts against Centerfolds owners Ali Davari and Hassan Davari. The suit also includes any "contractors" of Centerfolds who experienced financial harm while employed there.

According to Hodges, this type of activity is unfortunately normal in the strip club world, noting that many places will take advantage of vulnerable women who are in need of work. Given that very few nightclubs are unionized, if any, many workers sign away their rights without even knowing it.

"They’re young and they don’t have a lot of experience in the workplace," Hodges told the Chronicle.

The two owners and staff at Centerfolds have yet to comment on the matter.