Twin Cities McDonald’s Franchisee Sued by MN Dept of Human Rights
Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - A McDonald's franchisee that operates restaurants in the Twin Cities is the target of a lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Court documents indicate the state agency is accusing Hyder Investments of violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act by "fostering a culture of sexual harassment that led to a manager sexually assaulting a minor employee." The lawsuit alleges a 24-year-old manager at a McDonald's in Maple Grove used his position of power to initiate a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old employee and "repeatedly sexually assaulted her at the restaurant."
The lawsuit also alleges at least two supervisors were aware of the illegal relationship and failed to act. It notes the manager was fired after he was arrested on criminal charges but it was not for sexual harassment or sexual assault. Instead, the company cited an offense that involved bringing marijuana to work.
A news release says the lawsuit is one of many that have been filed across the nation against McDonald's franchisees involving sexual harassment allegations. The Minnesota case was first filed by the alleged victim last Friday and the Minnesota Human Rights Department officially joined the case on Wednesday.