Woody Allen's former private chef claims he was fired due to his complaints of improper wages and for being an active-duty member of the US Army Reserve, according to a new lawsuit Tuesday.

Hermie Fajardo alleges Allen, his wife Soon-Yi Previn, and his private home manager Pamela Steigmeyer retaliated against his requests for accommodations and fair compensation by terminating him in July, according to a complaint in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. He says the defendants violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act and various New York labor laws.

Fajardo started working various "trial runs" with the defendants to seek employment throughout 2024, he said in the complaint. After multiple meals that impressed the defendants, they informed him that he would become their full-time private chef.

Fajardo informed the defendants of his ongoing military duties, which includes periodic obligations to travel and perform reserve duty work, according to the complaint. He provided Steigmeyer with a copy of his annual service schedule and was informed that he'd receive his full pay even during weeks when he is required to travel away.

But Fajardo's first two paychecks came as bank-to-bank transfers that didn't withhold any taxes or have an accompanying paystub, according to the complaint. He said he continually complained about the issue to Steigmeyer, who assured him he still needed to be "put into the system" and the matter would be resolved.

While away at a mandatory training, Fajardo received his third paycheck, which was inexplicably $300 less than his first two, he alleged. He reached out to Steigmeyer again to address what he believed to be a mistake and was met with "hostility" and an abrasive tone.

"Worse, rather than explaining or remedying the issue, defendant Steigmeyer abrasively rebuked plaintiff, while asserting, among other things, that if plaintiff 'keep[s] asking about this, I hope it will not affect your job in the future,'" Fajardo said.

Fajardo ultimately had to stay an additional day for his Army obligations and had a delayed return to work, he said.

Despite being told by Steigmeyer they would talk about the paystub issue upon his return to work, the matter was never brought up and the home manager allegedly refused to greet or acknowledge him, Fajardo said. And just two days after his return, Previn informed him that he was being terminated, effective immediately. He alleges the defendants' counsel later falsely stated that Allen and Previn were unsatisfied with his cooking.

He alleges his firing was motivated by his military status, in violation of the USERRA, according to the complaint. Fajardo also says the retaliatory firing violates New York labor law provisions regarding anti-retaliation and whistleblower protections.

The defendants didn't immediately respond to a Tuesday request for comment.