NEW YORK—The owner of The Spotted Pig restaurant, who was accused of sexual harassment by former employees, has agreed to a settlement, following an investigation.
The restaurant is known as a celebrity haunt, but became notorious for the allegations of sexual misconduct against owner Kenneth Friedman, who was accused of inappropriately touching his employees, making sexual advances, and pressuring them into sending him nude photos.
Four former employees of the restaurant joined Attorney General Leticia James as she announced the settlement on Jan. 7.
“Women have been the keepers of your dirty little secrets,” said Trish Nelson, a former waitress at The Spotted Pig. “Luckily, that silence has now ended.”
Friedman has agreed to pay the former employees $240,000. He also agreed to step down as operator of the business, however he will keep his shares in the company.
Additionally, for a decade he will share 20 percent of all of his future earnings in the company with the victims.
Natalie Saibel, another waitress, said she came forward with others as the #MeToo movement snowballed.
“When I was fired in 2015, I really felt that I had no recourse, that no one would listen to just me,” she said in an interview with NTD News. “And it’s been pretty incredible that it’s resulted in this way.”
Friedman was not criminally charged. In a statement obtained by food and dining newsletter Eater, he said that he didn’t agree with all of the allegations, but apologized for any harm he did cause.
He added that he hopes that former employees will find some comfort in his stepping down.
