Phillips & Associates files 3 federal harassment suits tied to Semma

Phillips & Associates filed three federal lawsuits in New York on behalf of former Semma hosts Charlotte Swett, Tessa Tookes and Nina Zhuo, alleging sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation at the Manhattan restaurant. The cases also raise claims about a manager’s control over scheduling and alleged misuse of restaurant security cameras, underscoring how workplace power can affect restaurant workers’ pay and careers.

Why it matters: - The lawsuits spotlight how sexual harassment claims in restaurants can be tied to pay, schedules and promotion opportunities, not just offensive behavior. - The complaints allege retaliation that could have directly affected workers’ income through shifts, sections and hours. - The cases add another legal fight over workplace conduct at one of New York City’s high-profile restaurants.

What happened: - Phillips & Associates filed three separate federal lawsuits for former Semma hosts Charlotte Swett, Tessa Tookes and Nina Zhuo. - The cases were filed July 27, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. - The defendants are Unapologetic Foods LLC and Tapestry Management LLC. - The lawsuits are Swett v. Unapologetic Foods LLC et al., No. 1:26-cv-06382; Tookes v. Unapologetic Foods LLC et al., No. 1:26-cv-06385; and Zhuo v. Unapologetic Foods LLC et al., No. 1:26-cv-06386. - The complaints assert claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law. - The allegations center on Santo Pesantez, who served as Director of Operations for Unapologetic Foods restaurants and as interim manager at Semma. - The complaints say Pesantez had authority over employees and influence over scheduling, promotions and day-to-day working conditions. - The plaintiffs allege sexualized and racially charged comments, unwanted advances, inappropriate physical contact and retaliation after they objected to or reported the conduct. - Swett, Tookes and Zhuo jointly reported Pesantez to Human Resources on Jan. 22, 2026, according to the complaints.

The details: - The complaints allege senior employees knew about aspects of Pesantez’s conduct before the women reported him. - The complaints also allege Pesantez accessed security cameras at Unapologetic Foods restaurants to watch female guests he found attractive. - One allegation says Pesantez watched a well-known movie actress through Adda security cameras on his phone while working at Semma. - The actress is not accused of any wrongdoing and is identified only as a guest in the complaints. - The allegations have not been adjudicated, and the defendants can respond in court. - Phillips & Associates says restaurant harassment cases often turn on employer-controlled evidence such as schedules, payroll and tip records, text messages, HR complaints, surveillance footage and prior complaints. - The firm also says scheduling records can show retaliation when workers get fewer shifts, worse sections, earlier cuts or reduced hours instead of a firing. - Phillips & Associates represents employees in New York sexual harassment, quid pro quo harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination and retaliation cases. - The firm says it has litigated about 2,000 employment cases and recovered more than $360 million for employees. - The firm says it has appeared before more than 110 U.S. District Judges and more than 70 U.S. Magistrate Judges and litigated against more than 550 management-side defense firms. - Phillips & Associates says it represents employees only and has never represented an employer.

Between the lines: - The case reflects a broader pattern in restaurant litigation where the person accused of misconduct may also control the economic terms of the job. - That power dynamic can make reporting harder because a worker may fear losing shifts, income or advancement. - The security-camera allegations broaden the dispute beyond employee-to-manager conduct and raise questions about how workplace surveillance was used. - Because the complaints are in federal court, the next phase will likely focus on documents, witness testimony and what management knew when.

What’s next: - The defendants are expected to answer the complaints in court. - Evidence tied to schedules, tip records, HR files, texts and surveillance footage could become central to the cases. - The litigation will test whether the plaintiffs can prove harassment, retaliation and employer knowledge under federal, state and city law. - Phillips & Associates says it continues to represent restaurant and hospitality workers facing harassment or retaliation in New York.

The bottom line: - The lawsuits turn a spotlight on a familiar restaurant-industry vulnerability: when managers control both workplace conditions and workers’ income, harassment allegations can quickly become retaliation claims.