SOUTH JERSEY

Former hostess sues over boss's behavior

Jim Walsh
@jimwalsh_cp

CAMDEN – A Gloucester County restaurateur imposes conditions similar to a “workplace beauty pageant” on his female employees, a former hostess alleges in a sexual-harassment lawsuit.

Amber Nolte of Pennsville also contends she faced unwanted contact and comments while working for Fotios Farmakis, co-owner of the Riverwinds Restaurant in West Deptford.

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Among other allegations, the mother of two asserts female employees were pressed to wear “short skirts, six-inch heels and perfect makeup” at the restaurant.

When Nolte put her hair in a bun and wore eyeglasses, her lawsuit alleges, Farmakis told her: “Don’t do that. You look like an old lady.” And when she came to work with curly hair, Farmakis allegedly said he preferred her hair straight and asked Nolte, “Are you trying to look Puerto Rican?”

Amber Nolte of Pennsville alleges she faced sexual harassment while working at the Riverwinds Restaurant in West Deptford.

Farmakis, a Voorhees resident, could not be reached by phone or email Friday for comment on the lawsuit.

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The suit, filed in Superior Court, Camden, seeks unspecified damages for violations of the state Law Against Discrimination.

Matthew Luber, a Marlton attorney representing Nolte, said his client showed "courage" in bringing the suit.

"The misogyny and sexual hostility at (Farmakis') restaurant was systemic and not an isolated incident," the lawyer asserted.

According to the suit, Nolte worked at the restaurant from March to June, initially hoping to become a waitress. It says she left due to a workplace “rife with discrimination and sexual harassment.”

The alleged harassment “culminated” when Farmakis allegedly squeezed and hugged Nolte, kissing her neck repeatedly and complimenting her appearance “before (she) was able to free herself,” according to the suit.

The suit says Nolte complained after her shift to a manager at the restaurant, which is in a township-owned complex on the Delaware River waterfront.

“The manager ignored (her) concerns,” the suit says.

It alleges Farmakis responded to her complaint by asking in a phone call, “Why are you doing this?”

The lawsuit, which also seeks damages for unlawful retaliation, asserts Nolte was “stunned by this call and knew she could never return to work for (Farmakis).”

Jim Walsh; (856) 486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com