Sisters File Sexual Harassment Suit Against Popular Long Island Restaurant

PORT WASHINGTON, NY (1010 WINS) -- Three sisters from Port Washington filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against a popular Long Island restaurant where they once worked.

Lauren D'Annunzio, 20, Ashley D'Annunzio, 23, and Gabrielle D'Annunzio, 21, filed the federal lawsuit Monday against Ayhan's Fish Kebab Restaurant, owner Ayhan Hassan and manager Dario Gomez, seeking unspecified damages.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reports

The sisters claim they were routinely subjected to lewd comments and behavior by male workers, including a cook who was convicted for attacking one of them.

In 2008, cook Juan Orellano was convicted of attempted sexual abuse and sentenced to four months in prison for attacking Lauren D'Annunzio in the restaurant's basement.

"As I came downstairs, he came up behind me and had me in a bear hug," said Lauren, who was 17-years-old at the time. "I was screaming for a while and no one heard me and by chance, one of the busboys ended up walking down...and he quickly let go of me and I ran away."

Lauren's two sisters said they were also routinely grabbed and touched by male workers.

"They would grab our butts, they would touch our sides and lower to our hips," said Gabrielle.

The owner had no immediate response to the lawsuit but manager Dario Gomez, who is also named in the suit, says the sisters have no case.

"They worked here for a long time and they were happy," said Gomez.

Ayhan owns seven Long Island restaurants and food markets specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, according to the company's website.