Independence restaurant worker accused of sexually assaulting subordinate on premises
An employee at an Independence bar and restaurant has filed a lawsuit against another employee and the restaurant’s owners, alleging that the employee, while in a managerial role, sexually assaulted her on the premises and that the abuse led to her termination.
In the lawsuit filed in Jackson County court on Sept. 16, a former employee at Tavern 24 in Independence states that Manny Peine, her former supervisor, forced her to perform a sex act on him in the parking lot of the restaurant.
The alleged assault took place around 10 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2023, when Peine, 30, allegedly asked the 25-year-old plaintiff to smoke a cigarette with him in his car in the Tavern 24 parking lot. While in the vehicle, Peine allegedly physically forced the victim to perform a sex act on him, also using physical force to prevent her from leaving the car.
The alleged assault was not the first time that Peine had conducted himself inappropriately toward the victim, according to the lawsuit. She alleges that Peine began addressing her with unwanted sexual advances, including non-consensual touching, as soon as she was hired in August 2023.
At the time of the assault, Peine worked for Tavern 24’s sister restaurant Dirty Bird, but picked up shifts at Tavern 24 in a managerial position, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that when working at Tavern 24, Peine created a “sexually hostile” environment for the victim and other employees.
“Plaintiff believed that both her job and personal safety would be placed in jeopardy, if she ‘wasn’t cool’ and did not ‘play along’ and consent to his unlawful conduct and sexual harassment,” the lawsuit reads.
Shortly after the alleged sexual assault, the victim made a report to another co-worker who had seniority over both her and Peine, according to the lawsuit. This co-worker passed along the report to Tavern 24 owners Jason and Sarah Dunlap, who allegedly responded by firing the victim on Nov. 19.
In the lawsuit, the victim alleges that Sarah Dunlap made several references to the alleged sexual assault as the reason for her termination, saying that “‘everyone was talking about’” it.
Tavern 24 was unavailable to provide comment on the lawsuit Tuesday evening, but an employee told The Star that the restaurant was unaware of any pending litigation.
The former Tavern 24 employee and her attorneys are bringing charges of assault and false imprisonment against Peine. They are also bringing charges of gender discrimination and creating a hostile work environment against Tavern 24 and sister restaurant Dirty Bird, and a charge of negligent hiring against Tavern 24’s parent company, Dunlap-Perrin LLC.
The lawsuit alleges that Jason and Sarah Dunlap maintained a personal friendship with Peine and were aware of prior allegations of his inappropriate conduct and drug use on premises.
Peine was found guilty of felony drug possession in Kansas last year, as well as of interfering with a law enforcement investigation by falsely reporting a felony, according to court records.
He also pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence carried out against a romantic partner in Kansas last year, court records show, in a case that was ultimately dismissed.
The lawsuit will be heard in Jackson County court at 8 a.m. Jan 13.
This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 9:10 PM.
