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Former Mayoral Candidate Catsimatidis Is Still ‘Fighting for the Little Guy’

Owner of Gristedes supermarkets John Catsimatidis attends the celebration party for Rita Cosby's new book
Photo: Scott Wintrow/Getty Images2007 Getty Images

Gristedes owner John Catsimatidis, who described himself as a “common billionaire” while running for mayor last year, is proving once again that he’s just like us — if we had $3 billion and were very determined to hold onto it. On Tuesday, Catsimatidis appeared in court to hash out why he hadn’t paid lawyers who represented Gristedes workers who claimed they were owed overtime pay. Catsimatidis ultimately agreed to pay the lawyers another $99,000, but told the judge, “I’m fighting for the little guy. The little guy this law firm goes after all the time.” Plaintiffs’ lawyer Justin Swartz responded, “It’s been a very long time since Mr. Catsimatidis was a little guy.” He set himself up for that one.

Catsimatidis Is ‘Fighting for the Little Guy’