Eleven former employees of The Spotted Pig gastro pub will receive $240,000 and a 10-year profit-sharing deal following a sexual harassment investigation by the New York state attorney general’s office, according to an agreement reached this week.
Ken Friedman, the New York City-based restaurant’s former owner and operator, agreed to step away from all operations while maintaining his shares in the company.
The investigation targeted allegations against Friedman, in which “numerous female employees were subjected to severe and pervasive incidents of unwanted touching and unwelcomed sexual advances,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.
“No matter how high-profile the establishment, or how seemingly powerful the owners, today’s settlement reiterates the fact that we will not tolerate sexual harassment of any form in the workplace,” James said. “In the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp, victims of workplace harassment and discrimination are standing up and speaking out against injustices that have long been ignored. Every individual deserves to go to work free of fear, abuse, intimidation and retaliation. I thank the women of The Spotted Pig for their bravery, their voices and their unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, harassment-free workplace.”
The settlement did not mention former restaurateur Mario Batali, who has faced multiple harassment allegations, but James noted in her announcement that her office has launched an inquiry into Batali’s actions and that she is asking anyone with information about his behavior to come forward, according to media reports. James also said her office is investigating sexual misconduct-related charges against former Batali business partner Joe Bastianich, according to reports.
Batali has divested himself from the company formerly known as B&B Hospitality, but Bastianich remains with the group, which runs Del Posto, Babbo and Lupa.
In its investigation of The Spotted Pig, James’ office concluded that Friedman and other “celebrity customers” made sexually explicit comments and gestures toward female employees since its opening in 2004. Friedman forcibly kissed staff members and pressured them to send him nude photos, according to the investigators.
The attorney general found the restaurant routinely failed to address sexual harassment complaints and retaliated against those who attempted to speak up. As part of the settlement, The Spotted Pig agreed to put in place new policies to inform employees of their rights and require training about sexual harassment, discrimination and other topics.
Under the settlement, Friedman must share 20% of all future profits from The Spotted Pig over the next decade with the 11 accusers.
“I will spend the rest of my life regretting my actions,” Friedman said in a statement.
The attorney general’s investigation followed news reports in late 2017 in which Friedman and Batali faced multiple sexual harassment allegations, including unwanted touching and sexual advances. Around the same time, celebrity chef John Besh resigned as head of Besh Restaurant Group in New Orleans after facing a number of harassment allegations within his restaurant operation.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.