Boston, Oct. 24, 2024, — Recently, Chinese restaurant owner in Taunton Mass. Mr. Philip Fei Pan faced retaliation after refusing a health department inspector’s request to hire her mother’s cleaning company. Determined to seek justice, Mr. Pan has decided to take legal action against the inspector and the health department, a move that has garnered significant attention in the annals of American legal history.
According to Mr. Pan, owner of Hong Kong City Chinese restaurant, the incident began in 2017 when a local health department inspector attempted to coerce the restaurant owner into employing a cleaning service run by her mother during a routine inspection when she first did such inspection on her own. When the owner refused, the inspector retaliated by intentionally creating obstacles during subsequent inspections, even falsifying inspection reports. The restaurant owner discovered these discrepancies multiple times and kept relevant evidence.
It has been reported that this inspector not only acted unethically on her own but also incited other health department staff to join in the retaliation, frequently inspecting the restaurant and nitpicking every detail. The inspector would linger during inspections, severely disrupting the restaurant’s normal operations. Employees were subjected to immense psychological pressure, as the inspector closed the restaurant on arbitrary grounds and threatened the owner with the possibility of forwarding violation reports to the mayor’s office, aiming to tarnish the restaurant’s reputation.
Faced with such a predicament, Mr. Pan could no longer tolerate the situation. He decided to gather evidence and take legal action, declaring that he would no longer remain silent and vowed to fight for his rights. This case is viewed as a denunciation of the abuse of power by the health department, sparking public reflection on government oversight mechanisms.
Legal experts point out that this case is extremely rare in American history, marking a confrontation between restaurant owners and government agencies. It could also set a precedent for other businesses facing similar dilemmas. The restaurant owner’s courageous actions are not only for his own benefit but also to uphold fairness and justice within the industry.
As the case develops, public interest continues to rise, with many hoping for a fair judicial resolution that will provide a just environment for operators in the restaurant industry.