Tenjune Nightclub Owner Accused Of Sexual Harassing, Molesting Employees

Mark Birnbaum (Guest of a Guest)

Mark Birnbaum's Meatpacking District nightclubs are hotspots (hey, the Situation celebrated his birthday at one last year), but now four female bartenders are saying they were also uncomfortable places to work at because of him. The women have sued Birnbaum, claiming he came onto them and said things like, "Do you think about me when you masturbate? I think about you."

The suit, which calls him a "sexual predator," says, "Birnbaum made unwelcome sexual advances, requested sexual favors, and engaged in inappropriate and illegal verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature with plaintiffs, all of whom are young female employees at the lounges. Indeed, defendant Birnbaum's conduct was so egregious that it amounted to sexual assault and battery." The suit also details incidents starting in 2009 (inviting a female employee to his home for an after-party...only for her to discover she was the only one there) through last month—the Daily News reports that on April 29, Birnbaum "allegedly lured two women into a stairwell away from security cameras and molested them."

Birnbaum's lawyer says, "We categorically deny all the allegations; all these individuals are still currently working for the company and have been for years," but the women's lawyer, Eric Baum, says they are only still working at the clubs because they need the money. If Baum's name is familiar, it's because he's representing the two women who accuse American Apparel owner Dov Charney for harassment.

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By Jen Chung in News on May 12, 2011 10:19 AM

Comments [rss]

Guest

The biggest scumbags on the planet! I worked for them and this is common practice for the EMM GROUP, and company. A bunch of little boys that couldnt get any back in the day so they have to prey now that they think they are 'important'. They are sad sad little boys.

Militant Conformist

I bet this is just a misunderstanding

Guest

Pretty boy scum

Throw him in Rikers see how long that smile lasts.

Of course

Also send those girls home to the farm - they don't have the backbone for this city and are getting eaten alive.

IgnatiusPabulum

"Birnbaum's lawyer says, "We categorically deny all the allegations; all these individuals are still currently working for the company and have been for years," but the women's lawyer, Eric Baum, says they are only still working at the clubs because they need the money."

Oh man, this is almost as good a set-up as Bob Loblaw. If the plaintiffs win, I will be sorely disappointed if I don't see a headline incorporating, "Baum Burns Birnbaum."

MattyGC

Is there any proof? This sort of stuff is reverse sexual discrimination, imo

Amber

lol what? how?

Bruce Goldensteinberg

These are the same types of women who sued Dov Charney of American Apparel. They are hired for a certain look and probably get their jobs by coming onto their employers in a seductive way, and once they get hired, they sue you for looking at them a bit too long. Greedy money grubbers these bartenders are. I have heard from a friend who goes to that club often, that these bartenders are often attracted to men with money, so is it surprised they decide to sue an entrepreneur instead of earning on their own?

Trustafarian

meh - owners of clubs like this are typically grade A scumbags who shove cocaine up everyone's nose and trying to bang everyone in the bathroom.

H.e. Pennypacker

the women?

LtWorf

"Do you think about me when you masturbate? I think about you."

Well at least he's being honest. Tenjune is one douchetination that's best avoided at all costs, maybe that counts for ALL of MeatPacking.

Except 675. Fun place.