PITTSBURGH (AP) _ A federal jury has awarded a cocktail waitress more than $1 million after finding Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino violated its own zero-tolerance sexual harassment policy by rescinding a lifetime ban against a high-roller accused of assaulting her.
The jury awarded Allyson Pelesky $150,000 after Wednesday’s verdict, then added $999,000 in punitive damages after more deliberations Thursday.
Pelesky says the high-roller put a $1 chip into her bra and touched her breast while she was working in April 2014.
State police investigated, but Pelesky agreed not to press sexual assault charges after the casino banned the player. But 40 days later, the casino rescinded the ban and, since then, Pelesky says she’s been ridiculed by other workers.
Pelesky and the casino’s attorney declined comment.
Pelesky’s attorney said the evidence supported the verdict.