Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against the owner of four “bikini barista” coffee stands, alleging more than a decade of sexual harassment, retaliation, and wage theft targeting female employees.
Jonathan Tagle, who operates Paradise Espresso locations in Tukwila, Monroe, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace through Tagle Investments LLC, faces accusations of violating multiple state employment laws spanning at least 12 years.
The King County Superior Court lawsuit alleges Tagle violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination through workplace discrimination, employee retaliation, and creating hostile conditions that forced workers to quit through “constructive discharge.”
“Our team investigation found that the employer broke the law in multiple ways and created a workplace that left his employees stressed and traumatized,” Brown stated. “Protecting worker rights is one of my top priorities as Attorney General. That includes making sure no one trying to earn a living is treated in such a demeaning and exploitative way as the women were in this case.”
The complaint details allegations of egregious sexual misconduct, including requiring sexual acts for continued employment, non-consensual groping, and retaliation against employees who rejected advances. Court documents indicate the behavior was unwelcome and left workers feeling “uncomfortable, stressed, afraid, or traumatized.”
Beyond harassment allegations, the lawsuit accuses Tagle of systematic wage violations including failing to pay minimum wage, withholding employee tips, and denying required paid sick leave benefits.
The state seeks multiple remedies including court declarations that Tagle’s actions violated state law, injunctions preventing future harassment and wage violations, and financial compensation for affected employees. Additional requests include monetary damages, legal costs, and further relief as deemed necessary.
The bikini barista industry has faced scrutiny in Washington over workplace conditions and employee treatment, with this case representing significant state enforcement action in the sector.
Former Paradise Espresso employees dating back to 2012 are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division through ParadiseEspressoLawsuit@atg.wa.gov or by calling 1-833-660-4877 and selecting Option 9.
The lawsuit highlights ongoing challenges in industries where workers may be particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to the nature of their employment and potential power imbalances with management.
State officials emphasized their commitment to enforcing workplace protection laws regardless of industry type, ensuring all workers receive legal protections and fair treatment.
