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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Boss Took Liberties – and Then Some

CHICAGO (CN) - A boss forced a young employee to submit to workday spanking sessions in the office, and to clean his house while the boss fondled himself wearing boxer shorts, the man claims in court.

Jason Lee sued Eagle Market Makers and Ronald Manaster in Cook County Court.

He claims the Illinois Human Rights Commission last year found Eagle guilty of sex-based discrimination toward him.

"As a precondition to employment with Eagle, Manaster demanded that [plaintiff] shave off his goatee and cut his hair into a shorter hairstyle," the lawsuit states.

"On his first day of work, [plaintiff] appeared for work clean-shaven and with his hair significantly shorter, just as Manaster had demanded.

"On his first day of employment with Eagle, Manaster put [plaintiff] in a headlock and tousled his hair."

After this sparkling start, "Manaster commanded [plaintiff] into his office during work hours and spanked [plaintiff] on his buttocks," according to the complaint. "Prior to the spanking, Manaster would place [plaintiff] in a headlock, holding him in that position for some time, and then force [plaintiff] to bend over.

"Beginning in approximately November of 2004, Manaster asked [plaintiff] to clean his house during the workday instead of working at Eagle and [plaintiff] obliged. Manaster did not compensate [plaintiff] for his cleaning services outside of [plaintiff's] earning as a runner with Eagle. Sometimes [plaintiff] cleaned Manaster's house on the weekends for which he was compensated.

"When [plaintiff] arrived to clean Manaster's house, Manaster would open the door for him wearing his boxer shorts and would remain in them until [plaintiff] was finished cleaning the house. During this time Manaster would stand by [plaintiff] and fondle himself so that [plaintiff] could see him."

The plaintiff claims Manaster often demanded that he weigh himself on a scale in Manaster's office, and once forced him to remove his belt, with which Manaster threatened to "whoop his ass."

"Upon information and belief, [plaintiff] was not the first young man that was sexually mistreated by Manaster.

"Upon information and belief, Eagle was aware of Manaster's predatory and sexually harassing conduct of [plaintiff], and others, and did nothing to stop the unlawful conduct," the complaint states.

The plaintiff seeks punitive damages for violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act, sexual discrimination and harassment, and battery.

He is represented by Tena Andric with The Gleason Law Group.

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