Celebrity Restaurant owner dragged to court for allegedly not paying Social Security contributions for employees

By Breaking Belize News Staff: The owner of the well-known Celebrity Restaurant in Belize City appeared in court on Wednesday after the Belize Social Security Board shockingly accused the business of failing to make Social Security contributions for its employees.

Deniz Dal appeared before the Chief Magistrate in Court #1, where he was represented by attorney Dr. Lynden Jones. Dal was read a single charge for failure to make Social Security contributions within the required 14-day period, relating to the period from July 2025 to March 2026.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Appearing for the Belize Social Security Board was prosecutor Eddison Ogaldez. While the specific amount allegedly owed was not disclosed in court, the Board claims the restaurant owes contributions for its employees. The amount is understood to depend on the number of employees submitted by the restaurant on a monthly basis.

Dal’s attorney is reportedly challenging the amount being claimed by the Social Security Board.

The matter was adjourned for one month and is scheduled to return to Court #1 on August 4, 2026.

The case is not the first involving Celebrity Restaurant and the Social Security Board. It is understood that there is also an active civil matter before the court in which the Board is seeking to recover another sum allegedly owed by the restaurant. That figure was also not disclosed.

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