Alexus Steakhouse In Clifton Fined For Sexual, Racial Harassment

CLIFTON, NJ — A Clifton restaurant that is probably very well-known to most Secaucus residents was fined a total of $80,000 by the state Attorney General last week to resolve allegations it fostered a daily climate of unlawful discrimination in the form of sexual harassment and racism.

Alexus Steakhouse & Tavern, located on Valley Road on the Clifton/Montclair border, agreed to pay the hefty fine to seven current employees and one ex-employee. A single payment of $50,000 alone will be paid to a female employee who the state found was a victim of sexual harassment. A total of $30,000 will go to employees who experienced alleged racist comments and national origin discrimination.

An investigation by the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights found that the bulk of Alexus’ mostly Hispanic kitchen workers and servers claimed to have either experienced sexual harassment or race-based discrimination directly, or witnessed discriminatory conduct imposed on co-workers by John Magliaro, a former restaurateur who was hired in July 2015 to manage the eatery and tavern.

Among other sexual harassment allegations, one female employee told the Division that Magliaro once slapped a fellow female employee on the buttocks as she leaned over a table. In another instance, the manager allegedly pulled the elastic waistband of a female worker’s pants, exposing her buttocks.

Magliaro also allegedly told a female employee who asked why she’d been passed over to work as a bartender — in favor of another female employee — that it was because the chosen female employee had “great” breasts. The manager went on to inquire about when there might be an opportunity for three-way sex with both women, according to the employee.

According to multiple complainants, Magliaro peppered the workers daily with ethnic insults such as “stupid Mexicans,” “illegals” and as “illiterate.” He also allegedly urged the steakhouse owner to “get a white kitchen because they’ll listen.”

When interviewed by Division investigators, Magliaro denied all allegations of unlawful conduct. He said he made no sexually harassing comments and never used racist slurs. He also denied having engaged in any unwanted touching or other inappropriate behavior toward female employees.

He did, however, acknowledge being cautioned by the restaurant owner, Kitae Kim, for “swearing and being too loud” in addressing restaurant employees, who he claimed were often inattentive or insubordinate.

The restaurant owner, Kim, told Division investigators he felt some employees might be resentful of Magliaro because the manager was trying to implement renovations and updates at the restaurant – including changes to the menu and hiring new cooks.

Civil Rights Division Director Craig Sashihara issued a Finding of Probable Cause against Alexus Steakhouse in July 2016, noting that allegations of sexual harassment and racist conduct – and a failure by ownership and management to take any corrective action to address the situation — had been corroborated by 10 current and former employees.

Those 10 witnesses, Sashihara noted, included five members of the kitchen staff, four servers and one manager – a bi-lingual female employee who’d been assigned to act as liaison between Magliaro and the staff, but who resigned in February 2016 because of the allegedly hostile work environment.

New Jersey Attorney General Chris Porrino said the Alexus settlement “shows that employees need not simply absorb and accept alleged harassment and discrimination in the workplace.”

“No employee should have to suffer the kind of hostile workplace conditions alleged in this case,” Porrino said. “Workers in New Jersey who believe they are being discriminated against on the basis of their race, ethnicity, gender or religion have recourse. They can report the conduct to us, and we will take action.”

“Much of the conduct alleged in this case is the kind of conduct that’s at the heart of the national discussion on workplace harassment – particularly sexual harassment — taking place right now,” said Porrino. “Whether we’re talking about a Hollywood movie set or the kitchen of a local restaurant, subjecting employees to sexual innuendo, sexual propositions and inappropriate touching is wrong and cannot be allowed to stand.”

“Likewise,” Porrino said, “there is no room in the workplace for racist remarks and/or derogatory comments about people of a particular ethnicity or culture. It is unlawful, it is wrong, and we are committed to standing up for anyone who has been subjected to such conduct.”

The steakhouse must also implement a variety of policy and training reforms designed to prevent workplace discrimination going forward, the New Jersey AG's office said.

Top photo by Carly Baldwin/Patch

Google Earth screenshots of Alexus Steakhouse on Valley Road in Clifton