Despite complaints by employees of “Vox Hamptons” that they have not been paid for weeks, and even months in some cases, the publisher of the glossy local lifestyle magazine says his business is doing fine.

But not everyone is that optimistic, and sources, who asked not to be identified, questioned whether it is unrealistic to assume the magazine has the capital to survive, especially in the face of a faltering economy and with print media losing money nationwide.

In a letter last month to Vox 
founder and publisher Ted Foscolo, who launched the magazine in May of 2006, nine staffers and contractors complained that their health insurance had lapsed without warning and paychecks had either bounced or been withheld. Freelancers had similar complaints and some had paychecks several months past due, the letter stated.

It noted that the staff had completed the November/December issue of Vox, which was due to be released this month, and demanded to be paid in full no later than October 14.

In a recent interview from his office at Blue Moon Media in Amagansett, Mr. Foscolo acknowledged that he owed employees money, but said he was still collecting from advertisers and said his employees would be paid soon.

“We should have everyone settled up by the end of this month,” he said. “We are moving full steam.”

Mr. Foscolo said that despite some problems, Vox is back on track.

“We had a difficult go of it this year,” he said, noting that the economy was in poor shape and admitting that he erred when he hired highly-paid publishers from New York City to help advance the magazine “up the ladder more 
quickly.” The move, which cost Vox “ridiculous sums of money,” only hurt his business, he said. “It was the wrong thing to do.”

Mr. Foscolo said this year’s advertising revenues were down significantly from 2007 and he should have kept all aspects of the business local, as originally intended.

“The big guns were based in New York City,” Mr. Foscolo said, explaining how his choices this year became problematic. “I also lost a little bit of input in the magazine, and I was always afraid of that.” He noted that when he came up with the idea for Vox in 2005, he chose to keep “magazine people” out of the process and make an original product, unlike other local publications owned by larger corporations away from the East End.

The publishing consultants, contractors, former employees and freelancers that Mr. Foscolo owes all acknowledged the situation but refused to speak on record about it. One person directed calls to New York City labor lawyer Herbert Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Schnell.

Mr. Eisenberg said he was aware of the situation but would not confirm if he had been hired or if a suit will be filed against Mr. Foscolo. Mr. Eisenberg said the case was cut and dried, noting that Mr. Foscolo owes employees money and they should be paid. He added that staffers are well protected under New York labor laws, while freelancers and contractors do not fall under the same provisions.

While Mr. Foscolo’s image may have been tarnished by the events of the last year and employees have suffered for it, he said “It was a good learning experience.”

The November/December issue of Vox Hamptons was completed the first week of October, ending the “’08 era,” Mr. Foscolo said. He pointed out that he’s releasing a Vox cookbook with recipes from his magazine in November and the first of 2009’s planned nine issues will hit the streets the second week in April, which will mark the beginning of a new chapter, bringing Vox back to its roots.

In the meantime, Mr. Foscolo said Vox is focusing on its website, www.VoxHamptons.com, which he said will have new content throughout the off season and allow his employees to have work year-round.

“The dirt’s been thrown around since I started this magazine in ’06,” Mr. Foscolo said. He explained that rumors of Vox shutting down are unfounded and said similar claims have plagued him for the last two years. “It’s been a little rocky, but I’ve put too much into it” to stop now, he said. “I’m really bullish on the future.”