Il Fornaio LLC, which operates two Las Vegas locations — Il Fornaio at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and Canaletto at The Venetian Resort Hotel — has settled a federal lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $3 million. The lawsuit alleged that supervisors and employees across the chain’s locations created a sexually hostile work environment and retaliated against female employees who complained.
According to the EEOC’s news release, the harassment included forceful groping in bathrooms, multiple instances of grabbing private parts, requests for sexual favors, and references to sexual activities. Many of the affected workers were teenagers. The company allegedly failed to stop the harassment when complaints were made and retaliated against those who spoke up, leading some to resign.
The EEOC stated that at least 100 women were impacted by the work environment at Il Fornaio. Beatriz B. Andre, acting regional attorney for the EEOC’s Los Angeles District, which includes Las Vegas, said the conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex-based hostile work environments and retaliation. She also described sexual harassment as a widespread issue in the restaurant industry.
Il Fornaio did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The settlement follows similar EEOC actions in the region, including a $2 million settlement with Bouchon Restaurant at The Venetian in July and a $1.2 million settlement with the Laughlin River Lodge in November 2025 for sexual harassment claims.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·