Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Black Lesbian Ex-Chef at Cleo Suing SBE Entertainment for Discrimination
Photo via Cleo on Facebook
Cleo restaurant inside the Redbury Hotel has become famous for their excellent Mediterranean cuisine, the romantic vibes and their crave-inducing brussels sprouts. But they're about to be in the spotlight for something else: a discrimination lawsuit. Former chef Keyon Wilson filed suit on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the restaurant and its parent company, SBE Entertainment Co.
The allegations include discrimination, wrongful constructive termination, harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Wilson is seeking unspecified damages.
The Hollywood restaurant, which is located on Vine Street next door to the Avalon, has been a known hot-spot for celebrity clientele, especially during awards season. Celebs who have visited the hotel as of late include Paris and Nicky Hilton, Hilary Duff, Jamie Foxx and Melanie Brown.
City News Service details the official complaint, saying that Wilson began work at Cleo last Sept. 21. Almost immediately, fellow chefs and other employees subjected her to a barrage of inflammatory comments, including, "Get to the back of the bus, Rosa Parks," according to the suit.
The complaint also states Wilson was referred to as ''ho'' and a negative word commonly used against gay people. Wilson says heterosexual employees were not subjected to such conduct.
After Wilson complained to human resources, she claims she was retaliated against by being forced to take days off without pay. Wilson quit her job Oct. 5 in frustration and because she was unable to put up with further discrimination, harassment and retaliation, the suit states.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
