During the publication’s eight month investigation, the women said they were victims of sexual harassment when they worked at the New Orleans-based Besh Restaurant Group or one of its restaurants. The women shared experiences of male co-workers and supervisors who touched female workers without their consent and made suggestive remarks about their appearance.
In some cases, men tried to use their position of authority for sex. Women who complained said they were shunned, berated and reprimanded. Besh is among those listed as an alleged harasser.
In one Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint, one former employee said Besh “continued to attempt to coerce (her) to submit to his sexual overtures.” The employee had been involved in a sexual relationship with Besh during her employment there and some BRG employees retaliated against her when she tried to end that relationship, according to the complaint.
Besh and BRG’s general counsel, Raymond Landry, said they could not comment on the woman’s complaint due to EEOC rules. But in a written statement, Besh acknowledged it was “a consensual relationship with one member of my team.”
“I have been seeking to rebuild my marriage and come to terms with my reckless actions,” Besh’s statement reads. “I also regret any harm this may have caused to my second family at the restaurant group, and sincerely apologize to anyone past and present who has worked for me who found my behavior as unacceptable as I do.”