BUFFALO, N.Y. — A former employee of Russell's Steaks Chops & More filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Erie County that alleges sexual harassment, sex discrimination, retaliation, and several other work-related allegations.
The lawsuit alleges that a woman who worked as a bartender, who WGRZ has decided to not name at this time, was verbally harassed by Russell Salvatore as soon as she was hired May of 2015 until 2023, and at one point forced her to grab his groin at the restaurant.
In the lawsuit, the woman alleges that between 2015 and 2023 Salvatore asked her "when are you going to put out?" Additionally, Salvatore referred to her as her "slave" and that he would "throw her on the streets" if she did not comply with his demands.
Salvatore, allegedly, would bring customers to the bar and told them the woman would "get naked" by midnight.
After returning from a vacation in February of 2023, Salvatore allegedly asked the woman "Where were you? Did you have a miscarriage?"
In March of 2023, the woman became engaged with her boyfriend. Upon hearing this, according to the lawsuit, Salvatore stated to the bartender that "the only people that get married are pregnant."
The woman indicated that she was not and Salvatore responded "Good. Keep on s***ing."
The lawsuit goes on to describe an alleged incident between Salvatore and the woman on April 26, 2023.
Salvatore allegedly said "we should sleep together before you get married." Shortly after the exchange, Salvatore asked the woman to take a picture with him and a friend at the bar. After the photo was taken, Salvatore allegedly told the woman he was "hard" and for the woman to "give me your hand."
The woman said in the lawsuit she didn't want to be insubordinate and obliged, Salvatore then allegedly placed her hand on his erect penis.
The lawsuit also alleges the woman was fired after reporting the harassment and expressing concerns over wage garnishment during a meeting between Salvatore, a manager and the woman in December 2023.
The woman was terminated, according to the lawsuit, after she also expressed concerns that a customer had been overserved at the bar in December of 2023, but was told by a manager and Salvatore to never stop serving alcohol. The customer eventually needed assistance from paramedics, and 911 was called.
2 On Your Side reached out to Salvatore for a comment and received the following:
Recently I was shocked, saddened, and disappointed to learn that an employee who had been with me for over 9 years has decided to file a lawsuit against me. I believe the lawsuit is in retaliation for a policy change that was implemented involving her and associate bartenders that she didn’t agree with. The letter I received from her and her attorney was, in my opinion, an attempt to extort me for $1.5 million. I felt that their message was clear — pay up or they will make the allegations public — and by doing so try to ruin my reputation.
My answer is equally clear — Go right ahead!
I have seen what has been going on in this world, and after being around for 91 years, it is really a shame. I cannot believe that someone can, after working 9 years making full-time money for part-time work, quit a great job and then come back two months later and make such allegations against her employer. The lawyers know the buzz words to get a reaction, and thus their inflated complaints cover just about everything under the sun. Her co-workers have expressed the same disbelief in her actions.
So here I am, mortified to even have my name associated with such nonsense. However, I will not just buckle to threats.
I have been here for this City for many years and in many different ways, and will continue to do so for as long as I live. I will get through this. Thank you for your time, your support and your continued patronage.
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