BROOKLYN HEIGHTS -- The Busy Chef on Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, mired in scandal after the arrest of its manager Dan Kaufman for identity theft and credit card forgery, was closed for business Tuesday, along with contiguous stores under the same ownership – the Blue Pig ice cream shop and Oven restaurant.

Kaufman, who allegedly used customers’ credit cards to obtain $25,000 in stolen cash, was arraigned on July 17, the day before another store under his management, a Busy Chef on Court Street, closed. At that time, employees stated that the Henry Street shops would remain open, but as of Tuesday, an employee said that all three businesses were now permanently shuttered.

The Wine Bar, on the corner of Cranberry and Henry streets, which was also managed by Kaufman, will remain open according to one employee, who said that none of the alleged crimes were committed at that location.

In addition to stealing from customers, one employee told the Eagle that Kaufman stole much more from the business itself, allegedly falsifying the books to cover up the losses.

Kaufman’s case is currently before the grand jury and awaiting a possible indictment on the charges of Grand Larceny 3, Grand Larceny 4, Identity Theft, Attempted Identity Theft, Petty Larceny, Attempted Grand Larceny 4, Falsifying Business Records 1, and other charges.

The complaint filed against Kaufman in court added that the information police used to make the arrest came from employees of the mini-restaurant chain, as well as fraud investigators from Citibank and American Express.

According to a source close to the case, the list of charges, and employees involved in the scam, may grow as the grand jury investigation continues.

Related Story:

The Manager Was Arrested, Although The Chef’s Still Busy

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