Bartender sues Soho House over alleged drugging, rape by supervisor

The lawsuit claims the bartender's boss made 'numerous comments' about her looks and propositioned her to be his 'hook-up buddy'.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A bartender at the exclusive Soho Warehouse club in downtown Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit against Soho House and her former supervisor, alleging she was drugged and raped by him. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, claims her supervisor, Leonard Marcelo Vichique Maya, subjected her to repeated sexual advances and unwanted physical touching, and that when she reported his behavior to managers, they did not take any corrective action. The lawsuit alleges the situation escalated after a 'team-bonding' event, where Doe says she blacked out and later awoke naked in Vichique Maya's apartment, having been raped.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of workplace sexual harassment and assault, and the failure of some companies to properly address and investigate such allegations. The lawsuit against the high-profile Soho House brand also raises questions about the culture and accountability at elite, exclusive clubs.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the bartender, Jane Doe, began working at Soho House's Berenjak restaurant in September 2025. She alleges that almost immediately, her supervisor, Leonard Marcelo Vichique Maya, subjected her to 'repeated sexual advances and unwelcomed physical touching.' The suit claims he made 'numerous comments' about her looks and propositioned her to be his 'hook-up buddy,' even in front of coworkers. Doe says she reported his conduct to two male managers, but they did not take any corrective action. The situation allegedly escalated after a 'team-bonding' event on September 13, where Doe claims she became disoriented after drinking with colleagues, blacked out, and later awoke naked in Vichique Maya's apartment, having been raped. Doe says she reported the alleged assault the next day, but her general manager told her 'these things happen between coworkers' and that he had 'a restaurant to run' and couldn't have it 'blow up.' Despite informing three managers she had been raped, Doe alleges she continued to be scheduled alongside Vichique Maya. After filing a complaint with HR in December, she was placed on indefinite leave, while he remained on the job. A month later, Doe was told her report was 'uncorroborated' and he 'would not be disciplined.' She resigned in February.

  • In September 2025, Jane Doe began working as a bartender at Soho House's Berenjak restaurant.
  • Almost immediately after starting, Doe alleges her supervisor, Leonard Marcelo Vichique Maya, began subjecting her to repeated sexual advances and unwanted physical touching.
  • On September 13, 2025, Doe claims she blacked out after drinking with colleagues at a 'team-bonding' event, and later awoke naked in Vichique Maya's apartment, having been raped.
  • Doe says she reported the alleged assault the next day, on September 14, 2025.
  • In December 2025, Doe filed a complaint with Soho House's human resources department.

The players

Jane Doe

A bartender who worked at Soho House's Berenjak restaurant and has filed a lawsuit against the company and her former supervisor, alleging she was drugged and raped by him.

Leonard Marcelo Vichique Maya

Jane Doe's former supervisor at Soho House, who she alleges subjected her to repeated sexual advances, unwanted physical touching, and ultimately drugged and raped her.

Soho House

The exclusive members-only club where Jane Doe worked as a bartender, and which is named as a defendant in her lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“This is as egregious an instance of callous corporate indifference to workplace sexual violence that anyone can experience.”

— Nick Yasman, Attorney for Jane Doe (LA Times)

“These things happen between coworkers. I have a restaurant to run; I can't have it blow up on me.”

— Jane Doe's general manager (Lawsuit filing)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed against Soho House and Vichique Maya.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing workplace sexual harassment and assault, and the need for companies to have robust policies and procedures in place to properly investigate and respond to such allegations, rather than dismissing them or failing to take corrective action.