A former employee claims he was terminated from his job after raising concerns about sexual harassment and workplace violence, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. The complaint was submitted by Steven Weitzel in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on April 17, 2026, naming Cart 33, LLC doing business as Seven Lakes Country Club as the defendant.
According to the filing, Weitzel worked as a chef at Southside, a restaurant owned by Cart 33, LLC, for approximately three years. He alleges that during his employment he performed his duties satisfactorily, received two raises, and was promoted about one month before his termination. The dispute centers around events that unfolded after the hiring of Nicholas Alejandro as food and beverage manager.
The complaint states that Alejandro engaged in unprofessional conduct toward other employees and made multiple sexually inappropriate comments to female staff members. Weitzel also learned that Alejandro had been dismissed from at least one previous employer for sexual harassment. After being urged by another employee to address Alejandro’s behavior, Weitzel reported his concerns to Michael Ivester, identified in the filing as the owner.
Weitzel informed Ivester that Alejandro was allegedly sexually harassing female employees, behaving aggressively toward staff, and had been previously fired for similar misconduct. Instead of investigating these allegations or taking corrective action, Ivester allegedly attempted to silence Weitzel. According to the complaint, Ivester accused Weitzel of trying to “sabotage” the restaurant and warned him that Alejandro could pursue defamation charges.
The legal document describes an incident where tensions escalated into a physical altercation between Weitzel and Alejandro. Following this confrontation—during which Alejandro reportedly threatened Weitzel’s employment—Weitzel called police to remove Alejandro from the premises and pressed assault charges against him.
Shortly afterward, Ivester terminated Weitzel’s employment. The complaint includes an alleged text message from Ivester stating: “[Weitzel] can’t come back to the restaurant because you filed charges on Nick. I have to terminate you based off your reaction to the situation without discussing with me.”
Weitzel claims he feared reputational harm in his local community following his dismissal and ultimately relocated several hours away. Weeks later, he learned that Alejandro had also been terminated from Southside; according to information in the complaint, this was due to sexual harassment.
The lawsuit brings two main claims: retaliation (wrongful termination) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and wrongful discharge in violation of North Carolina public policy. The first claim asserts that Weitzel engaged in protected activity when he reported alleged sexual harassment by Alejandro but was fired soon after making these complaints—a sequence described as evidence of retaliatory intent under federal law.
The second claim cites North Carolina statutes including N.C.G.S § 143-422.2 (the Equal Employment Act) and N.C.G.S § 95-260 et seq (the Workplace Violence Protection Act). It argues that terminating an employee for reporting discrimination or pursuing legal action related to workplace violence violates clear state public policy designed to protect workers’ rights.
As relief, Weitzel seeks actual damages and compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 for lost wages, benefits, pain and suffering, emotional distress; punitive damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees; costs; any other relief deemed just by the court; and a jury trial on all triable issues.
The case is identified as Case No.: 1:26-cv-00353. Steven Weitzel is represented by attorney John A. Bruno of Bruno Law PLLC.
Source: 126cv00353_Weitzel_v_Cart_33_LLC_Complaint_Middle_District_North_Carolina.pdf
