Chef Mike Isabella Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Restaurateur Mike Isabella recently settled the sexual harassment lawsuit against him and his partners, which was filed in federal court by Chloe Caras, the former manager of Mike Isabella Concepts.

Caras said Isabella and his partners touched her in inappropriate ways, made vulgar and explicitly sexual remarks to her, called her sexist insults and made up rumors about her sexual history.

The settlement includes an undisclosed amount of money, according to a statement by Pikrallidas Law.

"In settling this case, Ms. Caras met one of her central goals, which was to have MIC (Mike Isabella Concepts) enter in a binding agreement obligating it to take corrective measures, including robust training, and to adopt policies to encourage a work environment free of sexual harassment," Caras’ attorneyDebra Katz said in a statement.

The suit was filed against Isabella, CFO Johannes Allender, Director Nick Pagonis, Executive Chef George Pagonis and Beverage Director Taha Ismail.

Caras worked as a regional general manager for Mike Isabella Concepts from January 2015 to July 2017, and as director of operations for Isabella Eatery in McLean, Virginia, from July to December 2017.

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Mike Isabella issued a statement, saying: “This agreement allows Chloe to focus on her bright future, and allows us to focus on a future in which all our valued employees will continue to flourish in our management ranks as we remain positive, productive leaders in the D.C. restaurant community. I am happy to personally guarantee that we will strengthen our internal policies and practices and ensure all MIC employees work in a comfortable environment.”

Isabella and his partners previously told The Washington Post that Caras is a "single disgruntled co-owner of the company" and that the allegations are only backed by former employees who are her friends.

Cara said she left the company in December 2017 after she allegedly asked Isabella to stop making sexist comments.

"I told him to stop, and he immediately got angry," Caras told the Post. "I tried to walk away, and he followed me into the kitchen, calling me a 'bitch.'"

Caras said Isabella then fired her on Dec. 5.

"Women generally do not make it into the higher management ranks of Mr. Isabella's establishments and when Ms. Caras did, she became the target of extraordinary sex-based hostility and abuse," the lawsuit said.

The Washington Post points out that the settlement doesn't indicate any changes of management at Mike Isabella Concepts.

>> See more on The Washington Post here.