A beloved Shelter Island bakery might not be so sweet.
Eight workers (six women and two men) are suing cafe owner Marie Eiffel for sexual assault and harassment.
A lawsuit filed Friday claims that Eiffel, whose Marie Eiffel Market is a celebrity hotspot, “routinely gets spanked.” [employees] on the buttocks, groped female employees’ breasts, strangled female employees, and made degrading and sexually harassing discriminatory comments about their race.”
The plaintiffs are foreigners from Malaysia, Thailand and Colombia who worked seasonally for Eiffel for four months in 2021 and 2022.
They are suing not only Eiffel, but also the New York-based company InterExchange, which sponsored them to work in the United States and, they say, failed to act on their complaints of abuse.
A lawsuit accuses Marie Eiffel, owner of Marie Eiffel Cafe on Shelter Island, of sexual assault and harassment. https://marieeiffelmarket.com/
The filing also alleges that Eiffel kissed employees, withheld tips for workers and that one worker’s arm was bruised after Eiffel pulled them into the kitchen.
“Marie acted as if she thought such egregious behavior was funny. On at least one occasion, Marie directed an employee to record her spanking an employee on the buttocks with a bunch of parsley while she laughed at the camera,” the lawsuit states, pointing to alleged photographic evidence that appears to show Eiffel spanking someone with parsley.
For the past decade, daredevils and tourists have flocked to the Marie Eiffel Market in search of Marseille-style croissants, baguettes and bouillabaisse.
The filing alleges that Eiffel whipped employees with parsley. marie eiffel/ instagram
Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain visited, and Christy Brinkley praised him on social media after enjoying tarte tatin and fries outdoors in 2020.
Michael Del Piano, a partner at the law firm that brought the suit (Lewis, Johs, Avallone, LLP) said Eiffel’s actions were not limited to a few isolated incidents.
Marie Eiffel, owner of Marie Eiffel Market on Shelter Island, is being sued for abusing workers.GoFundMe/ Save Marie Eiffel’s Market
“She engaged in a sustained campaign of egregious and exploitative behavior,” he told The Post of Eiffel’s alleged inappropriate behavior. “She took advantage of vulnerable people who simply wanted to work and grow as individuals.”
Christie Brinkley is among the celebrities who frequent the market. She praised her French food in 2020 on social media. Christie Brinkley/Instagram
Eiffel and InterExchange did not respond to the Post’s request for comment by press time.
On Tuesday, Eiffel denied all allegations to the Shelter Island Reporter.
She told the outlet that she had not yet been served with the lawsuit, but after learning of the claims against her, she hired an attorney. It is unclear how Eiffel found out about the lawsuit.
Eiffel in the photo with his employees at the marketmarie eiffel/ instagram
Marie Eiffel Market is described on its website as a “quaint New York hotspot frequented by celebrities and casual foodies” and a “tourist attraction.” Eiffel also has seasonal stores in Greenport and Montauk.Angel Chevrestt
The employees, according to the lawsuit, paid InterExchange recruiters more than $1,000 each to secure admission to the J-1 visa program and receive housing provided by Eiffel.
On its website, the bakery, opened in 2013, is described as a “quaint New York hotspot frequented by celebrities and casual foodies.” Eiffel also operates stores in Greenport and Montauk.
She told Shelter Island Reporter that the lawsuit may have its origins in an interaction she had with a disgruntled employee who she allegedly stole from her home. When she confronted him, she claims they had an altercation.
Eiffel also sent emails to the outlet from recent foreign employees who praised her.
“I am very grateful to have you as my boss and friend,” said one.
“I am very grateful for your support and teaching,” said another.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn