It's me, I'm the source. I worked in a lot of those Michelin-starred places in quite a few cities.

I also bailed. The pay and hours were a large part of it. But I did it for years and years.

has there been any attempt to pursue this legally?

I know there have been some higher-profile suits filed against some famous and semi-famous chefs for unpaid wages/stolen tips (Mario Batali, Tom Douglas, Charlie Trotter, a few others), but it's hard to directly challenge collusion like this when it's very unofficial. And a quick way to end your career and get blacklisted from any other high end restaurant.