LOS ANGELES — California Commerce Club, Inc., which operates Commerce Casino, was ordered to
pay $226,726.55 to a former employee for sexual harassment and wrongful termination alleged by the
former employee. The Plaintiff, represented by Makarem & Associates, also filed suit for sexual
discrimination, failure to prevent harassment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress by multiple employees of Commerce Casino. Jean-Paul Le Clercq, the attorney for the former Commerce Casino employee, stated that, “all the Plaintiff wanted was someone to help her so that she could work without fear of constant harassment.”
The Plaintiff alleged that she was harassed while she worked as a security guard and food server during
an approximate two-year period. The harassment took the form of constant derogatory name calling,
inappropriate comments about her body, and threatening behavior.
The parties arbitrated the matter, which lasted eight days. The former employee testified along with her
mother, sister, 15 current and former Commerce Casino employees, and experts from both parties.
When ruling was reached in favor of Plaintiff, Mr. Le Clercq, attorney for the Plaintiff, stated, “The Plaintiff dealt with working conditions that no woman should have to tolerate, all without help from her
supervisors. She stayed strong, told the truth, and in the end found justice.”
Commerce Casino opened in 1983 and is the world’s largest poker card room. In recent years, the
Casino accounts for more than 30% of the City of Commerce’s yearly tax revenue. The lawsuit, Montez
v. California Commerce Club, Inc. dba Commerce Casino, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC 460 263
Commerce Casino was represented by Ronald D. Wilton of Wilton & Associates. Jean-Paul Le Clercq of
Makarem & Associates represented the Plaintiff.
About Makarem & Associates APLC Makarem & Associates APLC is a top litigation trial firm that represents employees against employers for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and wage and hour class action litigation. Ron Makarem has received numerous honors and accolades in the legal industry for landmark cases, recently named ‘Top 100 Attorney in Southern California’ in 2013 by Los Angeles Magazine. Most recently, Jean-Paul Le Clercq has been awarded ‘Rising Star SuperLawyer’ for 2012 and 2013.
