Ex-Penthouse Club waitress files lawsuit over 'lesbian come-ons'

Herald Globe (ANI) Friday 5th February, 2010

New York, Feb 5 : A former cocktail waitress at the Penthouse Executive Club has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired in December after complaining about come-ons by bosses of both sexes.

Lourdes Garcia alleges that Kelly Gerald-Hughes, a general manager, began to "repeatedly touch (her) in a sexual manner on her legs and thighs" early last year.

The Manhattan federal court suit further said that Gerald-Hughes, who "frequently performed for customers in VIP rooms", had offered to engage in girl-on-girl action with Garcia in front of the customers for a fee.

Garcia, who says she was "humiliated and degraded" by the incidents, complained "on more than one occasion" to club owner Robert Gans.

But despite the complaints, Gerald-Hughes allegedly told Garcia she had "significant influence" over CEO Mark Yackow and could retaliate against her if she didn't shut up.

Garcia also alleges that club manager John Loukas "repeatedly" invited her into his office, "implying that he wanted to have a sexual relationship".

According to the suit, which does not specify damages, Loukas "several times told Garcia 'if you want me to help you, you have to help me. There are no cameras up here'".

Garcia's lawyer, Maimon Kirschenbaum, called her treatment "disgraceful".

"No human being, in any position, at any establishment, should be treated like that," the New York Post quoted Kirschenbaum as saying.

A woman who answered the phone at the club said there would be "no comment" on the suit and hung up.