Strip club waitresses file suit

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NEW YORK, July 30 (UPI) -- Waitresses at the Sin City strip club in New York claim they had their tips stolen by managers who allegedly groped them and demanded sexual favors.

A 22-page law suit filed by six former waitresses in U.S. District Court in Manhattan says the plaintiffs, who often earned $500 a night in tips, had to turn the tips over to their bosses who often used racial slurs or referred to the women as "bitches," the New York Daily News reported Friday.

"Because it's a strip club doesn't mean that they have the right to disrespect you," said plaintiff Janelle Denalli, 25, one of six ex-waitresses filing the suit.

"They degraded us," said Jasmine Felipe, 26, of the Bronx. "They insulted us. They touched us. ... There was a lot of sexual harassment and touching."

Felipe alleged one of the defendants demanded oral sex in return for buying her a scarf, while Denalli accused a manager of sucking on her foot and yanking at her bra, the News said.

"It's humiliating," said plaintiffs' lawyer Lizabeth Schalet. "These women will tell you they get more respect from the customers than they do from the managers."

"We're really upset. We strongly deny the allegations and we look forward to vindicating ourselves in the courtroom," said Stephen Hans, one of the defendants' lawyers.