La Barbecue Is Free From Insurance Fraud Charges

The Michelin-starred restaurant maintains its stance that it “acted in good faith”

The charges in an insurance fraud claim against La Barbecue manager Alison Clem, filed in 2022, have been dismissed due to a lack of evidence, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The charges stemmed from a 2016 workers’ compensation fraud alleged by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Now-deceased founder LeAnn Mueller was also originally named in the charges.

Eater Austin previously reported that the alleged incident involved a serious injury to an employee working with kitchen equipment at the time the business was operating as a food truck. La Barbecue reportedly did not have workers’ compensation coverage, and Mueller reportedly acquired it four days later without disclosing the incident and injury. TDI alleged that after the policy was in place, the employee was paid $350,000 in benefits and lifetime care by Travelers Casualty Insurance Co. of America. Clem and Mueller confirmed they acquired a backdated policy and, at the time, asserted that it was legal in the state of Texas and that they acted in good faith.

Clem reiterated that good faith sentiment in a statement provided to the Statesman by her lawyer, and thanked the Austin District Attorney.

La Barbecue is a one-star Michelin restaurant, as well as a celebrity favorite, attracting people like Seth Rogen, Dua Lipa, and former royals Harry and Meghan of Sussex. Mueller passed away in June 2023, leaving her life partner Clem behind.