Ann Arbor, MI
November 5, 2008
Contact: Jennifer Salvatore 734-663-7550

Nacht & Associates Attorney Jennifer Salvatore has filed a multi-million dollar wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate of an underage stripper. The lawsuit against Lincoln Park strip club Atlantis alleges that the club knowingly illegally hired an underage girl to work as an exotic dancer. The young girl was only 17 years old. Her first night of work turned deadly when club patrons provided her with a lethal dose of drugs.

The wrongful death suit, filed in the Wayne County Circuit Court, alleges that the Atlantis and its owner, Nagy Mickhail, acted in an unlawful manner when they knowingly hired a minor and allowed her to be exposed to a dangerous and sexually hostile work environment.

In connection with the filing of this lawsuit and in an effort to eliminate the practice of hiring minors to work in strip clubs, State Senator Raymond Basham (D-Taylor) has introduced a bill that would require employees of adult establishments to obtain a local work permit before being hired. A second bill introduced by Basham would impose a state tax on those engaged in the operation of adult entertainment facilities.

Accounts of the lawsuit have been picked up by local television and print news. Asked to comment on the case, Attorney Salvatore said "Places like these take advantage of young girls. They entice them with the lure of supposedly easy-money, and then expose them to a dangerous work environment. The consequences can be deadly, as we've seen here. It's not right and the club needs to be held accountable for its actions."

Ms. Salvatore is a partner at Nacht & Associates where she practices in the areas of employment and commercial litigation. She focuses on issues of gender discrimination and sexual harassment and also represents corporate clients, including many women-owned and minority-owned businesses in breach of contract and other commercial disputes. Jennifer also represents executives and other professionals in employment and contract disputes and does writing, consulting and training work around gender issues.