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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Suit: Hooters security attacked woman who disputed bill


A woman claiming she was attacked by a security guard at a south suburban Hooters restaurant after disputing her bill filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the restaurant chain.

Livier Torres claims a Hooters security guard attacked her Jan. 10 inside a restaurant on the 9100 block of South Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn after she disputed charges on her bill, according to a suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

The suit claims Torres asked a waitress to see a manager about charges on her bill, but instead security guard Joseph Schmidt approached and "took up an intimidating position."

The manager arrived and discussed the disputed bill and took Torres' credit card while she waited in the cashier area, the suit says. While waiting, Schmidt put Torres in a chokehold, grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the floor and continued to kick and stomp her, the suit claims.

Torres claims she did not pose a threat or danger to anyone at the restaurant.

The suit claims, among other things, Hooters failed to provide adequate security, used excessive force and failed to control its employees.

A company spokesperson for Hooters could not immediately be reached for comment.

The suit seeks more than $180,000 from Hooters and more than $100,000 from Schmidt. The Village of Oak Lawn is also listed as a defendant.

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