Female boss was a groper: Lawsuit

A former waitress for VIPs at the Manhattan’s Penthouse Club, filed a lawsuit against the strip club Thursday for sexual harassment and wage violations.

In the federal complaint, Lourdes Garcia said general manager Kelly Gerald-Hughes repeatedly groped her legs and thighs, despite her protests. She said Gerald-Hughes performed for VIPs — though she wasn’t a dancer — and told them that she and Garcia would engage in sex acts for a fee.

“I stayed because I needed the money,” Garcia, 34, said. “I was taking care of my mother.” Garcia accuses management of stealing from her tips which could reach up to up to $5,000 a night. She said when she sought help from manager John Loukas, he invited her into his office, and said, “If you want me to help you, you have to help me. There are no cameras up here.”

She was fired in 2009.

A woman answering the phone at the Penthouse Club said, “We have no comment,” and hung up.