WHEELING — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Route 22 Sports Bar and Crazy Mexican Restaurant & Grill alleging the businesses subjected female employees to a hostile work environment.
The commission alleges Madelene M. Billick and a class of former female employees were subjected to a hostile work environment because they are female. Billick alleged she also suffered an adverse alteration of the terms and conditions of her employment and was retaliated against for opposing unlawful practices, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Evelyn Cruz and Carlos Cruz Perez own the two restaurants and have since 2017 and 2018. The businesses did not have a sexual harassment policy for employees until a prior EEOC complaint was filed by Billick.
Billick alleged female employees were treated differently and after she complained about the treatment, she was retaliated against.
The EEOC is seeking to enjoin the defendants from engaging in harassment and retaliation. The EEOC is represented Sharon Fast Gustafson, Robert A. Canino, Gwendolyn Young Reams, Debra M. Lawrence, Ronald L. Phillips, Megan M. Block, U.S. Attorney William J. Powell and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie K. Savino.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number: 5:21-cv-00007
