`You`ve Got Mail` restaurant hit with USD 26M harassment suit

New York: A cafe that featured in the 1998 hit film 'You've Got Mail' has been sued by its thirteen former female servers for USD 26 million in Manhattan federal court. The former servers have accused the Cafe Lalo's owner Haim Lalo of not paying them fair wages and manager Daniel Reyes of creating a hostile work environment, reportedly.

The suit alleges Reyes "treats the restaurant as his own personal dating service and a place where he could indulge in his unwholesome desires." It also claims Reyes regularly cursed the women out after they routinely rejected his advances ? and even threatened one of them with a knife.

Most of the women only began employment at the restaurant that featured in the hit film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan ? in the past year. They are seeking USD 2 million each in compensatory and punitive damages. Carolyn Richmond, a lawyer for the cafe, said there is "no merit" to the allegations.