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Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
Sexual Harassment

Iris Mueth v. The Brass Monkey, Inc. et al.

Published: Sep. 12, 1998 | Result Date: Aug. 4, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC159528 Verdict –  $650,000

Judge

Marlene A. Kristovich

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Charles Ted Mathews
(Mathews Law Group)


Defendant

Jerry Shapiro

Haskell Shapiro


Facts

On March 26, 1996, plaintiff Iris Mueth, a 32-year-old waitress at defendant The Brass Monkey Restaurant & Lounge was fired after she complained about sexual harassment. Defendant Alan Spears, a 50 percent owner of the defendant restaurant, began requiring plaintiff to wear sexy clothing, fraternize with male customers, and put up with him making sexually suggestive comments, including making plaintiff to have sex with him. The plaintiff claimed defendant Spears periodically touched her on her buttocks and elsewhere. The plaintiff claimed her complaints were ignored. Finally, after another touching incident, plaintiff was fired. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on wrongful termination, sexual harassment and hostile work environment theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $15,000. The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $12,500.

Specials in Evidence

$900 $84,000

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged emotional distress.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year and 10 months after the case was filed.

Deliberation

three hours

Poll

12-0 (liability); 11-1 (damages)

Length

five days


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