As has widely been reported, a woman was recently assaulted in an alley in River North after allegedly being drugged in a nearby bar. Now, Hale and Monico is representing the victim in a lawsuit filed against the popular bar and restaurant, El Hefe, which is owned by an Arizona-based restaurant group.
Hale and Monico obtained surveillance video which was filed as an exhibit with the complaint.
Our client was visiting EL Hefe on Oct. 18 after winning a trip to Chicago when she suddenly began feeling ill. The video shows in graphic detail how our client was forcibly walked out of EL Hefe by the alleged perpetrator and then assaulted against a dumpster in the alley while two security guards from the restaurant stood by and failed to intervene.
Attorney Brian Monico told Fox32 News, “This is something that is deeply traumatizing to her and she is going to be in a bad way for a long time.”
This is not an isolated incident. After seeing a news broadcast of the assault, another victim has come forward, who we are also representing in a separate lawsuit against El Hefe. In this case, our client was at the River North bar on October 12, 2019, to watch the Bears game, when the bartender served her a drink that made her ill. She remembers nothing after that, but lab tests at the hospital confirmed she had been drugged and raped.
At Hale and Monico, we are committed to fighting for victims of sexual assault. In addition to facing criminal penalties, assailants and other parties who participate in or assist with sex crimes can also be held civilly liable. It is possible that the perpetrator is employed by EL Hefe or knows someone who works there. While Chicago Police continue to search for the suspect in the River North assaults, we are asking anyone with information to contact the authorities.
About the Firm
At Hale & Monico, our practice is focused on civil rights and personal injury litigation. We routinely handle complex cases that require extensive preparation, powerful negotiating skills, and an ability to present a compelling, well-supported case to a jury. We have a proven history of helping our clients obtain the compensation they need and deserve.