Civil Rights Department Sues Emeryville Restaurant for Failing to Pay Out Money Owed in Sexual Harassment Settlement

SACRAMENTO - The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today announced filing a lawsuit against Townhouse Bar and Grill, a restaurant in Emeryville, California, for allegedly failing to pay money owed to a former employee following a settlement negotiated by the department.

"Our mediators successfully bring people together every day to resolve civil rights disputes without the cost and disruption of going to court," said CRD Director Kevin Kish. "We monitor compliance with these agreements and will not hesitate to enforce them if people fail to hold up to their end of the deal."

Broken Promises

In 2023, CRD negotiated a voluntary settlement between Townhouse Bar and Grill and a former employee who was allegedly unlawfully fired after experiencing and reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. As part of the settlement, the restaurant, which did not admit wrongdoing, was required to take proactive steps to prevent future sexual harassment and provide compensation to the worker. However, despite agreeing to and signing the settlement, the restaurant allegedly failed to meet the deadline for the payment, ignoring multiple follow-up requests by CRD over a period of months to come into compliance. As a result, CRD is now seeking a court order to force Townhouse Bar and Grill to meet its obligations to the former employee.

No Place for Sexual Harassment in California

California is committed to protecting all workers in the state from unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment. From lawsuits to training, CRD uses a range of approaches to help protect workers. Earlier this year, the department reached a $100,000 settlement with a strawberry farm in Santa Cruz County over the alleged sexual harassment of a farmworker. In 2022, CRD secured a $3 million settlement with the producers of Criminal Minds to resolve allegations that male crew members were sexually harassed by the show's director of photography. The department also reached a $500,000 settlement against Live Nation and House of Blues Anaheim over alleged workplace sexual harassment. In addition, CRD offers free materials and online trainings to combat sexual harassment across the state.

About CRD's Mediation Program

CRD resolves hundreds of discrimination complaints a year through its free dispute resolution program. An alternative for parties that don't want to go to court, the program offers neutral, trauma-informed mediation for civil rights disputes. These mediations result in millions of dollars in direct relief to Californians and policy change that helps prevent against future discrimination.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of employment discrimination, CRD may be able to assist you through its complaint process. The department also provides general information and factsheets online about civil rights protections for members of the public.

A copy of the lawsuit against Townhouse Bar and Grill is available here. It is being litigated by Staff Counsel Dylan Colbert.

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