Palm Beach Waiter Abuse Case Dismissed

Posted by Jose Lambiet , October 17, 2012 Print

Palm Beach moneybags John Castle, known as much for his buying the island’s historic Kennedy compound as for his stewardship of leverage buyout firm Castle Harlan, and the Club Colette waiter who accused him of abuse in January have settled their legal battle.

The lawsuit was quietly dismissed Sept. 27, according to court records. Both parties are responsible for their legal bills, which could indicate that little or no money was paid to the 58-year-old Kucik.

Castle, 77, was accused of grabbing the hand of private club waiter Paul Kucik when he brought Castle’s check. Castle allegedly twisted Kucik’s hand until his ring finger broke, according to the lawsuit.

– Click here to read the lawsuit

Castle allegedly called Kucik “schmuck” for bringing the check to his table, apparently as Colette no-no!

Members of the private restaurant often pay monthly.

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Palm Beach Police investigated a complaint by Kucik but the Palm Beach County State Attorney declined to file formal charges against Castle.

In a political landscape in which the very rich have come under scrutiny, the case grabbed national headlines.

No one at Castle’s $16.5 million home picked up the phone today. And while Kucik’s lawyer declined comment, Castle’s attorney stopped just short of calling the case frivolous.

“Even Kucik’s doctor admitted that the broken finger claim was false,” Green said.

Featured Palm Beach assault, broken finger, Castle Harlan, Club Colette, crime, Gossip Extra, John Castle, Jose Lambiet, lawsuit, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Palm Beach Police, Paul Kucik, schmuck