Former waitress files sexual harassment suit against restaurant owner

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By Mark Fisher, Staff Writer 4:30 PM Tuesday, August 31, 2010

DAYTON — A former server at the Amber Rose restaurant in Dayton has filed a civil lawsuit in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court against the restaurant and its owner, Joseph Castellano, alleging he sexually harassed her for 18 months before she quit in June.

An attorney for Castellano strongly denied the allegations and said the restaurant owner will vigorously defend against the lawsuit.

Tawny Watkins of Kettering alleges in the lawsuit that Castellano made sexually suggestive comments and hugged, kissed and grabbed her on various occasions between Jan. 1, 2009 until she resigned June 18, 2010. The lawsuit alleges that Watkins tried to complain about Castellano’s conduct, “but was either not allowed to do so or was worried she would lose her job if she did,” according to the paperwork filed by Dayton attorney Lucas Wilder. Watkins “always refused Castellano’s advances and actions” and “never led Castellano on, or came on to him, in any way,” the lawsuit says.

Castellano’s attorney — Tom Czechowski, litigation partner in the Dayton law office of Dinsmore & Shohl — said his firm conducted an investigation of the employee’s claims in anticipation of a possible lawsuit.

“We believe there is no merit” to the claims made in the suit, Czechowski said. “None of the conduct occurred.”

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000. The case has been assigned to Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Timothy N. O’Connell.

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