coldsnowstorm/iStock
The Sebastopol City Council will consider an appeal over a liquor license for a new restaurant owned by a restaurateur accused of sexual harassment. After months of debate, Piala Georgian Cuisine was approved for a liquor license by the Sebastopol Planning Commission on the condition that the owner, Lowell Sheldon, was barred from managing employees as well as serving or consuming alcohol at Piala for at least one year. An appeal was filed arguing that the enforcement of the condition wasn’t feasible, as it would be left to Sheldon and his business partners, employees, and patrons rather than the city. The Sebastopol City Council will consider the appeal at a special meeting on August 31st.
Copy of the appeal can be found here.
Meanwhile, Sheldon has submitted a letter to the city detailing his side of the story. In it, he denies all allegations and describes himself as being trapped within the court of public opinion. Part of the letter reads “Was I always a great boss, each and every day, for twelve years? No. There are many things I wish I could go back and change about how I ran Lowell’s. But my deficiencies as a boss never overlapped with abusing my power.” Sheldon also acknowledged an affair with an employee that led to the break up of his family and, he believes, fueled allegations against him. He also paints the accusers as “activists” that have sensed vulnerability and felt empowered to keep fighting to tear him down. Sheldon was accused by 11 staffers of sexual harassment and fostering a toxic work environment. The Bohemian reported that Sheldon allegedly sexually assaulted another woman.