Salt Lake City bar operators sue former employees saying they lost $300K due to 'false claims of racism and a hostile work environment' after the owner's wife shared Facebook post saying 'black lives don’t matter more than anyone else's'

A Salt Lake City-based bar group is suing two former employees for defamation and fraud, saying they lost them $300,000 after claiming online that they had been victims of discrimination.

Kevin Mulligan, a former manager with Bourbon House Group, and his girlfriend Kayleigh Wood (Little), who was a bartender there, were two of about 10 ex-staff members who allegedly made false claims on social media.

It was after Brandi LeCates, the wife of co-owner Jason LeCates, prompted a backlash against the brand when she wrote on Facebook that 'Black lives don't matter more than anyone else!!!'

'Always the same god dam loons! Bunch of p*****s! I'm astounded by anyone that condones any of the violence and vandalism these imbeciles are carrying out.'

+5

Jason LeCates and Brandi LeCates, the co-owners of Bourbon House Group, are suing two former employees for defamation and fraud

+5

Brandi LeCates had experienced a backlash when she wrote that 'black lives don't matter anymore than anyone else' on Facebook

+5

That prompted the owners of restaurants within the Bourbon House Group to apologize and distance themselves from Brandi's comments

Brandi's social media outburst came in response to the recent round of Black Lives Matter protests this year after the killing of George Floyd.

While the owners of Whiskey Street Bar & Grill, Bourbon House and White Horse Spirits & Kitchen didn't post the offensive comments on their social media channels, the brand's connection to Brandi is believed to have had an effect on their reputation.

The bar group was also noticeably quiet about its views on social media.

Then on July 12 it made a statement distancing members from Brandi.

'We apologize for the delay on discussing the appalling Facebook threads that have been circulating online. The comments that were made are more than disrespectful. They are insulting and ignorant of black lives, history and the continual movement to fight for equal rights and treatment,' Whiskey Street posted. 

'The Bourbon Group is comprised of multiple owners, who were shocked and devastated by the hurtful things that were posted online. The opinions and statements do not, in any way, shape, or form align with our establishment as a whole, however we must take responsibility due to association.

+5

The Facebook apology prompted people to come forward with allegations of harassment and mistreatment at Bourbon House Group restaurants

'We understand why people are angry. We are angry too. A donation will not heal the damage created. We know that any hurt, pain, or disrespect that was caused in the community will not heal overnight.' They pledged to donate $10,000 to BLM and apologized for it being 'overdue'.

However it prompted people to share claims of sexual harassment and mistreatment while working there.

A month later the brand is suing two people who they say in a lawsuit knew or should have known that claims of racism and threats of exposing a hostile work environment during a time of civil unrest would negatively impact the ability of White Horse, Bourbon House and Whiskey Street to do business and would result in a loss of customers and revenue.'

The lawsuit indicates more names could be added as it states: 'Jane and John Does 1-10 are as of yet unidentified Defendants.'

The owners claim in the lawsuit that they 'have engaged in a coordinated effort to undermine the business by making false claims of racism and a hostile work environment …damaging the establishments' reputations and goodwill.'

+5

White Horse Spirits & Kitchen is one of three restaurants within the Bourbon House Group

Documents filed allege that the defendants have been 'threatening current employees to shame them in order to have them quit their jobs.'

In an argument claiming they were disgruntled before the BLM comments from Brandi and their subsequent apology, the owners note that Kevin Milligan was either fired or quit following a confrontation with Food and Beverage Director Matt Crandall. 

It states Wood followed his departure and when the company donated a dinner for 12 to an auction held at Wood's home in January - where five former employees attended – 'Kevin Mulligan placed a winning bid on the dinner,' using the false name of Linda Fay.

The lawsuit claims he admitted what he did to Mulligan.

Wood and Mulligan told the Salt Lake Tribune they were waiting for legal representation before commenting.