Introduction to the Case
Eleven former female employees are suing an Addison ice cream store and its owner, alleging he secretly recorded them in the store’s bathroom, part of his exploitation of the employees since 2021. The unnamed women, who were between 14 and 17 years old when they worked at Flavor Frenzy in the western suburb of Addison, filed a new civil lawsuit in the DuPage County Circuit Court against the shop and its owner Steven Weisberg, the workers’ lawyers said Thursday.
Allegations Against the Owner
The complaint alleges that Weisberg, 58, repeatedly provided clothing to the female employees for marketing purposes and then instructed them to change inside Flavor Frenzy’s restroom. He is accused of touching the employees in ways that made them feel uncomfortable, asked about their personal lives, and offered them alcohol and marijuana gummies, according to the complaint. The lawyers added that the ice cream shop, under Weisberg’s direction, targeted underage girls for employment and, at times, paid below minimum wage and withheld wages to discourage the employees from reporting the misconduct or quitting.
Attorney’s Statement
“This business owner hired young girls, for many of whom this was their first job, and he was able to manipulate them and prey upon their naiveness and vulnerability,” said Gina DeBoni, an attorney at the law firm Romanucci & Blandin. “For many of our clients, this man befriended them. He tried to relate to them. He acted like a father figure to them,” DeBoni said. “They trusted him. Then he exploited them.”
Attorney Gina DeBoni announces the lawsuit against Flavor Frenzy and owner at a press conference Thursday.
Charges Against Weisberg
Weisberg’s family could not be reached for comment late Thursday. He remained Thursday in the DuPage County jail on criminal child pornography charges, according to the DuPage County sheriff’s website. The Daily Herald reported that Weisberg has pleaded not guilty to those charges, and appeared in court Thursday where the case was continued to Nov. 19.
Investigation Findings
The lawsuit filed by the former workers accuses Weisberg of privacy invasion, infliction of emotional distress, battery and sexual harassment, in violation of several state laws, including the Illinois Gender Violence Act. It also accuses Flavor Frenzy of negligence, leading to an unsafe and hostile work environment. Wednesday’s lawsuit follows an investigation by Addison police that found a hidden camera inside an outlet in the store’s bathroom. They also found recordings in Weisberg’s laptop and phone, according to the lawsuit.
A makeshift closed sign is tapped to the front door of Flavor Frenzy located in a strip mall at 48 W. Lake St. in suburban Addison.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Time
Separate Lawsuit
A separate lawsuit, filed last month, accused Weisberg of secretly recording a teenage girl at his Buffalo Grove home. The workers’ lawyers said Thursday the criminal investigation confirmed the “systemic nature” of Weisberg’s behavior. They also want the lawsuit to spur legislative reforms.
Call for Legislative Reforms
Antonio Romanucci, another attorney representing the young women, said the firm is pushing for laws that require recording devices to alert people when they’re being recorded and for local health inspectors to be equipped with scanners to detect hidden cameras.
Conclusion
The allegations against Steven Weisberg and Flavor Frenzy are severe and highlight a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse. The case underscores the need for stricter laws and regulations to protect workers, particularly minors, from predatory behavior. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be important to monitor the developments and see how the legal system responds to these serious allegations.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against Steven Weisberg and Flavor Frenzy?
A: The allegations include secretly recording female employees in the store’s bathroom, touching them inappropriately, asking about their personal lives, and offering them alcohol and marijuana gummies.
Q: How many former employees are suing Weisberg and Flavor Frenzy?
A: Eleven former female employees are suing Weisberg and Flavor Frenzy.
Q: What are the lawyers pushing for in terms of legislative reforms?
A: The lawyers are pushing for laws that require recording devices to alert people when they’re being recorded and for local health inspectors to be equipped with scanners to detect hidden cameras.
Q: What is the current status of Weisberg’s criminal case?
A: Weisberg has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his case was continued to Nov. 19.
