Tenjune Owner Mark Birnbaum Accused Of Sexually Harassing, Molesting Female Employees

Four bartenders at trendy Meatpacking District nightspots Tenjune and Simyone Lounge have accused owner Mark Birnbaum of begging his female employees for sex, molesting them and exposing himself, according to a lawsuit filed yesterday in Manhattan Civil Supreme Court.

The New York Post has the graphic details:

All of the women started working for Birnbaum in 2009, and say he aggressively came onto them soon after, using suave lines like, "Do you think about me when you masturbate? I think about you."

He was more than just dirty talk however - the suit says he sexually assaulted Sailors in 2009 and Furini in 2010, and groped Girvin while pleasuring himself in front of her and Rothweiler just last month.

Birnbaum's lawyer, Peter Toumbekis, is denying all the charges. "We categorically deny all the allegations; all these individuals are still currently working for the company and have been for years," he said, according to The New York Daily News.

The law firm representing the four plaintiff's, Simon Eisenberg and Baum, is the same firm that recently filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the owner of hipster brand American Apparel, Dov Charney.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, claims, "All the plaintiffs have been scarred emotionally and are undergoing psychiatric treatment," reports the Daily News.

Tenjune recently underwent a $400,000 renovation that included "a feature wall that wraps around the room showing lions, gorillas and semi-nude women and a new LED lighting system", according to Eater NY. Known for its decadence, the spot has hosted raucous parties for the likes of Keisha (who got "down and dirty") and Jersey Shore's The Situation, who celebrated his birthday.

Comments

[DeidraNYC]

07:49 PM on 06/07/2011

I have known this disgusting human being for almost ten years, First he is far from cute. Mark is so insecure about his appearance that he will not allow any picture taken of him he cannot photoshop and/or make look perfect. Mark has a huge nose (even after 2 nose jobs) and a weak chin. Until he became a nightlife owner, he never got the girl. I know as he asked out myself and ALL my friends countless times and recieved resounding "NO" from all. He comes from a wealthy Long Island Jewsh family and has done nothing to earn his current status, except have wealthy parents. In fact he worked as a manager of several clubs and did a horrible job (how I know him, I was a baretnder at LOBBY). He was ALWAYS an outsider and never could get into the real clubs.... UNTIL Mommy and Daddys checkbook bought his way in. He has been acting like a predator for years. His personality sucks and he is a tall doofy unattractive schmuck when his pics arent personally chosen and photoshopped. I am so glad after a decade of his attempted rapes and bad attitude that he is getting what he deserves . AMEN!!!

[CLSayles]

07:21 AM on 05/17/2011

His jacket makes me think he's actually "in the closet" and this is way to hide the real him.

[Volkmoidruk]

11:52 AM on 05/16/2011

Man, the Tribesmen can't keep it in their pants this week, can they?

[Stilyagi]

12:47 AM on 05/16/2011

"Tenjune recently underwent a $400,000 renovation that included "a feature wall that wraps around the room showing lions, gorillas and semi-nude women and a new LED lighting system"

Oh great. Now Charlie Sheen's gonna want one of those.

[floridaviolinist]

10:57 PM on 05/15/2011

at least he's cute :)

[luckydog1857]

08:05 AM on 05/16/2011

ewww no one is THAT cute!

[KarenM]

01:38 PM on 05/16/2011

No way is he cute enough to get away with molesting his female employees.

[Volkmoidruk]

11:56 AM on 05/16/2011

A 'rationale' used by many date r*pe victims for not going to the police. Way to back the Sisterhood there: "it's not theft, r*pe, murder etc. if he's cute." Remind me again how women are supposed to be the intelligent and empathic ones?

[MissIndependentLady]

12:04 PM on 05/16/2011

Oh please. Do you know how many men think it's IMPOSSIBLE for women to be sexual predators, especially the ones that are attractive? Don't act like women are the only simple minded ones.

[floridaviolinist]

01:49 PM on 05/16/2011

I was largely, largely kidding :)

[Daisytoo]

06:05 PM on 05/15/2011

Sounds like the latest floozie bartender's and shop girl's retirement plan: Sue the rich owner for sexual harassment.

[luckydog1857]

08:05 AM on 05/16/2011

What an unfeeling, arrogant, and tacky thing to say.

[topkatnc]

08:54 PM on 05/13/2011

It's a shame that one of the women didn't just give him a quick hard kick , between the legs .

[gregory57]

12:28 PM on 05/13/2011

It's so easy for a few girls to decide that they want to hurt a guy in a position like this. It's possible that they are doing it, precisely, because he wasn't interested in them.

Guilty or not, horrible situation.

[Steve41]

10:54 AM on 05/13/2011

Kind of a stretch to put this into the food section isn't it?

[KarenM]

01:38 PM on 05/16/2011

Well, he is a restaurant owner... and women need to know these things.

[buddaman71]

09:29 AM on 05/13/2011

Night Club Owner Harasses Females

This is groundbreaking reporting? Most of the nightclub owners I've known got in the business so they COULD harass females.

[onlyaquarterdelusional]

09:48 AM on 05/13/2011

I paid part of my way through college bartending...if my daughter ever came home and stated she just got a job in ANY nightclub, I would reach for my checkbook and say "don't bother, how much do you need?

[rivercard]

11:56 AM on 05/13/2011

Speaking as a fellow retired veteran of the nightclub life and a current parent that is the 100% correct answer.

[HelloWerld]

04:56 PM on 05/13/2011

Next: fashion photographer sexually harasses people who pose for him. NO WAY!

[MissIndependentLady]

07:50 AM on 05/13/2011

I hate that I'm attracted to this guy lol but you know what, he does look like the kind of guy who thinks he can have his way with any woman. It's one thing to be flirtatious but it's a totally different story when you're touching women without their consent, especially while playing with yourself. This guy is probably a huge narcissist.

Either that or these girls are after his money...can't rule out that possibility. It's pretty sad that these women didn't quit because they apparently depend on this job for their income. Times are rough.

[Mary Mclocke]

11:51 PM on 05/13/2011

Yes! He does have that look about him, though I am not attracted to him at all. He isn't bad looking but has that sociopath look all over him. I also agree about the girls staying, but as you said, times are tough and the work just isn't out there right now for them to just walk. A Manager needs to set an example, and if indeed he is acting out as these girls claim, and since there are 4 of them, I believe them. I don't believe in this case that they are out after their money. One or two, perhaps a possibility, but four of them and seeing this picture as well of the man, he has 'that look', though I believe them based on the fact that there IS four of them. Excellent post based on ALL you said but F & F, especially that you agree that he probably is, just by even looking at the above pic, a huge narcissist!

[KarenM]

01:40 PM on 05/16/2011

Yep... he's probably a sociopath.

[Volkmoidruk]

12:01 PM on 05/16/2011

"I hate that I'm attracted to this guy lol"

There you go.

[MissIndependentLady]

12:37 PM on 05/16/2011

Do you mind elaborating on that?

[one tequila two tequila]

04:10 AM on 05/13/2011

Follow the money...
bty, we see his kind all the time in Thailand

[jusathot]

04:08 AM on 05/13/2011

Maybe rich and handsome men are pursued so much by people like the commentors here--that only forcing himself on women holds a thrill?

[signgrrl]

03:39 PM on 05/13/2011

it's all about the POWAH !

[Volkmoidruk]

12:02 PM on 05/16/2011

Ask DSK: he'll tell ya.

[jcarterla]

04:05 AM on 05/13/2011

I am normally against jumping the gun on accusations, because we never have all the facts, but this guy just looks the part.

[MosesDidItBest]

11:35 PM on 05/12/2011

Apparently people are quick to judge before all the facts are in.

Remember, innocent till proven guilty? That applies to all parties.