Addison ice cream shop owner accused of secretly recording employee undressing is being sued
A lawsuit has been filed against a Buffalo Grove man charged with secretly recording nude footage of multiple females, including minors, using hidden cameras at his home and his Addison ice cream shop.
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County circuit court Tuesday by a 19-year-old former employee identified as Jane Doe against Steven M. Weisberg, 58, owner of Flavor Frenzy, and his business.
The employee is seeking at least $50,000 in damages on three counts: Invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and Illinois Gender Violence Act violations. The lawsuit seeks damages for mental and emotional suffering from what attorneys call a calculated scheme of sexual exploitation.
Weisberg was indicted last month in DuPage County on child pornography charges after police discovered a hidden camera behind a fake electrical outlet in his shop's bathroom, authorities said. The investigation revealed additional unlawful images of teenage girls on his computers and phones from the business and a child’s bathroom in his home, attorneys said.
According to her attorneys, police informed the plaintiff she was secretly recorded at Weisberg's home after showering following a pickleball game.
The suit alleges Weisberg orchestrated a scheme to “groom, deceive and manipulate” employees through inappropriate touching, sexually suggestive comments and offers of drugs and alcohol.
“This sordid pattern of misconduct has been going on for three or four years,” said attorney Richard Pullano, founding partner with Pullano & Siporin, the firm representing the girl.
Pullano said Weisberg hired 15-to-20-year-old girls to work in his shop and in another business that called for him to go to various festivals.
He said the plaintiff was a star employee and spent a lot of time with the defendant.
“Over the three plus years she worked for him, he kind of took her under his wing,” he said. “She got the best schedule. She got the best assignments that paid the most money.”
The case unraveled when Addison police received an anonymous tip, conducted an undercover investigation and obtained search warrants, attorneys said. Authorities also discovered 11 videos on Weisberg's phone, including deleted files. At least six different people were recorded, attorneys said.
Attorneys said Weisberg used a scheme in which he told the girls he wanted them to try out T-shirts and tank tops he intended to sell to customers or promote on his website. He told them, attorneys said, he did not want straps showing, so they could either go without a bra or wear sports bras he provided.
“Our plaintiff feels like she's in a constant daze,” said Mathew Siporin, a partner in the firm. “Her ability to trust others has been shattered.”
Pullano said the plaintiff is currently under medical care and receiving counseling.
Weisberg’s criminal charges include child pornography, soliciting a child for performance and two counts of unauthorized video recording. The first two counts are Class X felonies.
“This man's deception for his own sexual gratification is atrocious,” Pullano said. “The premeditation involved in setting up the cameras — which we’ve now learned happened in more than one location — makes it more chilling.”
Weisberg's next criminal court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 15.