Latest news with #Landry's
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landry's Seafood House settles EEOC lawsuit claiming it discriminated against Englewood employee
DENVER (KDVR) — Landry's Seafood House agreed to pay $95,000 to resolve claims that the national seafood chain harassed and retaliated against an Iranian employee at a now-closed location in Englewood. The settlement, announced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Monday, marks the end of a 2023 national origin harassment and retaliation case filed against Landry's by the agency on behalf of an ex female employee who had been hired in 2017 to work as a server at the restaurant. Trump orders drugmakers to lower prescription drug costs The employee argued Landry's employees — including managers and supervisors — openly mocked her accent, criticized her physical appearance and made her feel different than other workers who were not Iranian, according to the EEOC, which claimed the alleged conduct was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After bringing up the alleged harassment to the general manager of the restaurant and twice complaining to the company's human resources department, the employee argued that Landry's failed to stop the harassment and then fired her in August 2019 for allegedly breaking a rule she claimed was not equally enforced among other workers, according to the complaint. In addition to the financial relief, Landry's agreed to provide other equitable relief and to review and revise its harassment and retaliation policies, train employees and managers about national origin harassment, retaliation and Title VII, and provide reports of training, complaints and policy modifications, according to the EEOC. Bonfire Burritos to open 2 new locations in Denver metro The lawsuit was filed in Colorado federal court in September 2023. The Landry's location at 7209 S. Clinton St. in Englewood, where the alleged misconduct is alleged to have occurred, permanently closed in 2020. Landry's Inc., the parent company of Landry's Seafood House, owns dozens of restaurant chains nationwide, including Del Frisco's Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Saltgrass, Downtown Aquarium Restaurant and Chart House in Colorado. The company previously said in a 2023 statement obtained by KDVR that the restaurant 'refused to be pressured by the EEOC's settlement demands,' that there were 'two sides to every case,' and that it would be 'happy to litigate this lawsuit in front of an impartial trier of fact.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as Trump's ambassador to Italy
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, 83-14, to serve as the ambassador to Italy and San Marino. Fertitta is the CEO of Landry's — which includes restaurants, casinos and hotels — and the owner of the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. He also starred in the television show 'Billion Dollar Buyer.' During his April 1 confirmation hearing, Fertitta said he was focused on increasing trade between the United States and Italy, adding, 'There is so much more that can be done.' He said he wants to "close the gap" in the United States' trade deficit with Italy, partially through the Italian government working with American energy companies. The deficit, where the United States imports more goods from Italy than the country exports to Italy, was more than $43 billion in 2024 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Italy is 'receptive' to doing more business with the United States, Fertitta said. 'They're very excited about having an American, true entrepreneur, come over there and work with them,' Fertitta said about his conversations with Italian officials. In March, he told the State Department he will resign from various positions, including his roles with Landry's and on the University of Houston System Board of Regents, upon his confirmation by the Senate. He will remain in his ownership position with the Houston Rockets, his letter to the department said, and will not participate in any situation that could interfere with the NBA or the team while serving as ambassador. While introducing Fertitta during his Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. John Cornyn praised Fertitta as 'one of the nation's most prominent businessmen,' and as a voice in the Houston area – naming his donations to the University of Houston, his positions on various boards, and his work with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on reopening businesses after COVID-19 shutdowns. 'Tilman's realization of the American dream will serve him well as the voice for our nation's interests and as an advocate for a strong relationship between the United States and Italy,' Cornyn said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fertitta was outspoken about how his business empire was struggling due to restrictions in the United States and overseas. He was a member of Abbott's task force to 'reopen' Texas after lockdowns, which drew criticisms for being made up of business executives, not local elected officials. Fertitta also participated in a roundtable with Trump and other restaurateurs in May 2020 focused on what the industry needed to reopen following COVID-19 shutdowns. Fertitta publicly supported Trump's presidency in 2017, when he shared his optimism for the new president's economic policies. He is a prolific political donor, donating to mostly Republicans, including Trump and Abbott. Fertitta held a Houston fundraiser for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. Italy's conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has closely aligned herself with Trump. The pair met at the White House earlier this month where Trump called Meloni a 'friend,' and said she has 'taken Europe by storm.' San Marino is a microstate surrounded by Italy with a population of about 35,000 people. Disclosure: University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Get tickets before May 1 and save big! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
