Former workers at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Times Square who sued the eatery for sexual harassment said this afternoon that they want to see the restaurant’s former manager sent to prison and the place shut down.
The $600 million lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, includes allegations that Anthony Rakis, the restaurant’s top manager, subjected the bikini and sarong-clad workers to months of harassment – including rape – while management turned a blind eye.
“Absolutely, I want him to pay criminally,” said former senior manager Giulietta Consalvo, who alleges in the suit that Rakis raped her inside a taxi in September 2006.
“I can’t get that night back,” she added.
Rakis, 40, was described in the suit as a “sexual predator” who was “given full rein by the Riese Organization to sexually assault, molest, batter and rape the female employees.”
The Riese Company, which owns Hawaiian Tropic Zone, owns 113 eateries in the city, including chains such as KFC and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Jennifer Brooks, another former worker who was allegedly molested by Rakis, said she wants to see the entire company fold as a result of the rampant sexual misconduct.
“I want to see the entire organization completely closed down – every restaurant they have and every property they own,” she said.
Rakis eventually lost his job. He now lives in Virginia.
Reached by telephone on Tuesday, Rakis denied the claims.
“These are false allegations,” he said. “This is all kind of a shock to me, to be honest with you.”