Former Employee Sues for Sexual Harassment and Non-payment of Wages

September 2, 2009

Dublin, California – A former employee has filed several claims against a Dublin eatery, Taxi's Hamburgers for sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and non-payment of wages.

Joanna Cole, who had moved out of the state since the alleged incident has claimed that one of her fellow employees, Roberto Evoiristo also known as Oscar Ortiz had repeatedly grabbed her from behind and bit her on the back. She reported it to her supervisor but no action was taken on her complaint.

She also alleged that there was an incident where the supervisor witnessed the abusive conduct of Evoiristo but didn’t do anything to stop it and instead watch TV. Cole was also reportedly harassed by another male employee who, along with Evoiristo, would place hotdogs between their legs and make lewd and sexual gestures.

Cole claimed she was too afraid to go to work from November 2008 to January 2009, and was later terminated. Evoiristo was arrested by the police on January when Cole reported that he followed her home and assaulted her. He later on pleaded no contest to a battery charge in April.

According to spokesman Jeffrey Neustadt, Taxis International LLC whom Cole sued, does not own the Dublin eatery where she previously worked. The branch was allegedly sold in 2004 to an unidentified franchisee.