A former executive of a restaurant group that manages a prestigious Michelin-starred establishment in Chicago is facing a civil lawsuit for allegedly embezzling more than $1.4 million in company funds. The funds were reportedly spent on an extravagant lifestyle that included strip clubs, high-end shopping, and even luxury travel for his dogs.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
Aaron Gersonde, a former board member of the Four Pillars Restaurant Group, has been accused of misappropriating company money between July 2022 and December 2025. According to a civil complaint reviewed by NBC Chicago and filed on Tuesday night, Gersonde used a company credit card to fund what the lawsuit describes as his 'exorbitant and lavish lifestyle.' The restaurant group, along with its subsidiaries Ever Restaurant and After Cocktails lounge, initiated the legal action.
Specific Extravagant Expenditures
The court filing details very specific and outrageous alleged expenses. These include a staggering $33,000 tab at a Miami strip club in just one night and a single shopping spree at Louis Vuitton costing $12,349. His total alleged spending at Louis Vuitton exceeded $18,000. Additionally, Gersonde is accused of purchasing a $14,729 Breitling watch with company funds.
Travel expenses also feature prominently in the allegations. The former executive allegedly spent $48,221.28 on American Airlines flights and related costs over 131 credit card charges, plus $30,657.65 on Delta Airlines across 58 charges. In a particularly notable expense, he reportedly spent $7,792 on a single flight with RetrievAir, an airline catering to wealthy pet owners, to travel with his dogs.
Background of the Restaurant
Four Pillars Restaurant Group oversees Ever Restaurant, located in Chicago's affluent West Loop neighborhood near downtown. Ever has been awarded two Michelin stars in every guide since 2021, marking it as one of the city's top dining destinations. The lawsuit emerges from a position where Gersonde had oversight of the group's finances.
Further Accusations and Cover-Up
Beyond credit card misuse, Gersonde is accused of making fraudulent payments, transfers, and withdrawals from company bank accounts. The lawsuit claims he falsified accounting software entries and payment descriptions, and provided inaccurate profit-and-loss statements to other board members and investors to conceal his alleged embezzlement.
It took years for fellow executives to suspect wrongdoing. Once they did, the board hired a forensic accountant who uncovered over $1.4 million in unauthorized charges, as reported by NBC Chicago. Chicago Today also noted that the former executive was accused of spending nearly $200,000 on Amazon.
Gersonde's Response
In a statement to The Daily Mail, Aaron Gersonde denied the spending accusations. He claimed he had been working towards a 'private resolution to avoid unnecessary harm to the business, our team, and its reputation,' which was ultimately not pursued.
'The allegations are false and mischaracterize both the facts and my role in the business. I have consistently operated with full transparency and in alignment with the company’s financial practices,' Gersonde said. He added, 'I will not litigate this in the media, but I am confident the full record will demonstrate that I acted appropriately and in good faith. My focus remains on protecting the integrity and future of the business.'
The case highlights significant alleged financial misconduct within a high-profile Chicago restaurant group, raising questions about corporate governance and oversight in the luxury dining sector.
