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L.I. Caterers Accused Of Lying About Being Kosher

MELVILLE, NY (CBSNewYork) - According to the general manager and chef of Morrell Caterers on Long Island, people paid a premium for Kosher foods at over 200 weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and other events, but everything was tainted.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On The Story

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"Those same tables, those same pots and pans, those same platters and utensils that were used for Kosher foods were also used to prepare the non-Kosher events as well," said general manager Tom Cataldo.

Cataldo, who has been general manager since 1997, and chef Micheal Savitsky are suing the owner of the catering company, Scott Morrell.

They say it has been going on for a year and a half and want to force Morrell to stop tainting the food.

Cataldo says he was getting sick inside.

Cataldo told WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall the owner was trying to cut corners by not having a separate kitchen for Kosher and non-Kosher foods.

"We would have our Kosher foods stored and next to it a bucket of shrimp," said Cataldo.

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports

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Cataldo also claims Morrell poured cheaper alcohol into empty high-end liquor bottles and sold them at premium prices.

"I have never violated any Kashrut rules ever," said Morell.

Morrell's attorney claims the lawsuit has nothing to due with being Kosher, but with his involvement in a separate $18 million lawsuit.

Morrell Caterers operates at Temple Beth Torah in Melville, Temple Israel in Lawrence, and the Woodbury Jewish Center in Woodbury.

Rabbi Raphael Adler of the Woodbury Jewish Center told CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff that if the allegations are true then it is an act of betrayal.

"We are shocked and it's disgusting and its come to us as a complete surprise," he said.

Workers claim that the betrayal may have gone beyond food. They say that top shelf liquor bottles were refilled with low end products.

Morrell has denied the allegations and says that he invites a Kosher oversight board to come and inspect.

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