NY-AG v. Hakan Karamahmutoglu

Hakan Karamahmutoglu and 5 Spring Street Corp. allegedly maintained a hostile and discriminatory workplace at Sweet and Vicious. Employees allegedly experienced sex discrimination, sexual and gender-based harassment, race and national origin discrimination, and wage theft. Karamahmutoglu allegedly insulted female employees, scrutinizing their appearance and using inappropriate language. Managers allegedly made unwanted sexual advances. Black employees were allegedly called “gangsters,” and a Puerto Rican manager was allegedly referred to as a “terrorist,” and “Puerto Rican trash”. The owner and managers also allegedly used anti-gay slurs. Multiple bartenders also reported having to stand for eight hours or more without being allowed to eat or take a break, as well as a stricter code of conduct for women than for men. Several employees allegedly worked more than 40 hours a week on certain work weeks but were not compensated with overtime pay, and one employee spent approximately 30 hours completing personal work for the owner but never received compensation. Multiple employees also reported instances of tip theft when customers would leave tips on credit cards. Further, Sweet and Vicious and its owner appear to have failed to provide consistent wage notices and statements to employees, according to NY-AG.

Summary generated from official New York Attorney General press release