An angry former employee has been sued by Tao restaurant for allegedly throwing feces into a koi pond on the property.
A former hostess allegedly caused more than $3,000 in damage at Tao’s in central New York after being fired, according to a recent lawsuit.
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Former employee, Ariel Roman was named in the shocking lawsuit, according to the New York Post Office.
The former employee, Ariel Roman, was reportedly fired after violating company policy on December 1, 2022, according to a company complaint seen by The Gothamist.
Tao alleges that Roman’s firing led to a series of threats, including being told she would burn down company locations, harshly assault female employees and prosecutors, according to the complaint.
On June 2, six months after being fired, the former employee allegedly threw feces into the company’s Koi fish pond inside the restaurant, before climbing onto the table and yelling at customers, according to the lawsuit.
The disgruntled former employee reportedly arrived at the restaurant after midnight, wearing a wig and glasses as a disguise.
Roman was said to be carrying fecal matter in a large black bag and was caught in the act.
Tao’s owners revealed that the incident cost them more than $3,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit.
On June 29, 2023, the restaurant took the next step and banned Roman from all Tao properties.
The hospitality group is currently seeking punitive damages as well as a permanent injunction for Roman, according to the complaint.
If the judge grants what Tao is asking for, Roman would have to stay 50 yards from any Tao property and would not be able to contact any of its employees, according to the complaint.
Roman has yet to respond to the allegations made against her.
Tao has many locations, including in the heart of Chelsea, where the incident occurred.
The hotel group has 80 branded locations in more than 20 markets around the world.
Outside of Tao restaurant, the company has other establishments such as Hakkasan, OMNIA, Marquee, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Yauatcha, Cathédrale, Ling Ling, Wet Republic, Little Sister, The Highlight Room, Sake No Hana, Jewel and more.
“With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, we have consistently set the standard for guest experiences, delivering unforgettable entertainment with innovation and creativity at the center,” explains the company in its statement. website.
“We strive to exceed expectations and continually reinvent the future of hospitality through our proprietary operations as well as partnership opportunities.”
Tao’s location in the city center was created to differentiate itself from other locations.
The restaurant revealed that its Chelsea store was the first to have a multi-level space for its guests.
The place is decorated with Chinese calligraphy murals and a dragon scale screen located along the corridor.
Since opening in 2013, the restaurant has quickly become a celebrity hangout.
Its grand opening alone welcomed a myriad of guests, including Katie Holmes, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats, according to Worldwide Red Eye.
US Sun has reached out to Tao and Ariel Roman for comment.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
