Business & Tech
Server Claims Sexual Harassment, Sues Cafe Napoli Bar Manager
The lawsuit alleges the discrimination took place in 2012 at the Clayton eatery.
A former server at Cafe Napoli has sued the Clayton restaurant's bar manager claiming sexual harassment.
The suit, filed Friday in St. Louis County Circuit Court, claims Jerry McDowell violated the Missouri Human Rights Act by harassing C. Lauren Litman, a server at the bar during her employment at Cafe Napoli from May 1 to June 22, 2012.
Restaurant manager Kye Pietoso was also named in the suit.
According to the law suit, Litman was subjected to unwelcome and offensive sexual remarks and conduct by McDowell, including:
- Touching of her hard and other parts of her body;
- Telling her "he knows she has a great ass";
- Exposing his genitals to Litman and telling her to "touch it"; and
- Making sexual advances to and kissing Litman.
Litman filed a charge of sexual discrimination with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. On June 17, 2013, the Commission issued a Notice of Right to Sue. The complaint reads:
"You are hereby notified that you have the right to bring a civil action within 90 days of the date of this letter against the respondent(s) named in the complaint. Such an action may be brought in any state circuit court in any county in which the unlawful discriminatory practice is alleged to have occurred.."
Litman is seeking damages in excess of $25,000 for lost wages, benefits of employment, emotional distress, attorney's fees and punitive damages.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that McDowell is no longer employed at Cafe Napoli.
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