How much does it cost to get sued—twice—for sexual harassment? Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Andre Chreky is learning the answer the hard way.
Two former employees of the stylist’s K Street salon and spa allege Chreky groped them, propositioned them for sex, and tried to force himself on them. The first case went to trial in March and resulted in a $2.3-million judgment against Chreky.
The woman is also seeking more than $2 million in attorney fees. That result, and the possibility that he’d face additional damages in the second harassment case, prompted Chreky to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the day before the next trial was to begin.
If Chreky’s pockets are a little light, his lawyers’ are not. According to his bankruptcy filing, here’s Chreky’s running legal tab:
• $116,891.87 still owed to his defense lawyer, John Bredehoft of Kaufman & Canoles.
• $200,000 retainer paid to Holland & Knight, where Washington partner Richard Lear represents Chreky’s company in the bankruptcy. Lear and other Holland & Knight lawyers working on the bankruptcy charge $240 to $570 an hour.
• $100,000 retainer paid to Zuckerman Spaeder, where Washington partner Nelson Cohen represents Chreky in the bankruptcy. Lawyers at Zuckerman bill $325 to $1,000 an hour.
• In just the past six months, Chreky has advanced a total of $850,000 in legal fees.
Through a spokeswoman, Chreky declined to comment.
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 as a staff writer, and became a senior editor in 2014. She was previously a reporter for Legal Times and the National Law Journal. She lives in Northeast DC with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.
Wow, That’s a Lot of Highlights
How much does it cost to get sued—twice—for sexual harassment? Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Andre Chreky is learning the answer the hard way.
Two former employees of the stylist’s K Street salon and spa allege Chreky groped them, propositioned them for sex, and tried to force himself on them. The first case went to trial in March and resulted in a $2.3-million judgment against Chreky.
The woman is also seeking more than $2 million in attorney fees. That result, and the possibility that he’d face additional damages in the second harassment case, prompted Chreky to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy the day before the next trial was to begin.
If Chreky’s pockets are a little light, his lawyers’ are not. According to his bankruptcy filing, here’s Chreky’s running legal tab:
• $116,891.87 still owed to his defense lawyer, John Bredehoft of Kaufman & Canoles.
• $200,000 retainer paid to Holland & Knight, where Washington partner Richard Lear represents Chreky’s company in the bankruptcy. Lear and other Holland & Knight lawyers working on the bankruptcy charge $240 to $570 an hour.
• $100,000 retainer paid to Zuckerman Spaeder, where Washington partner Nelson Cohen represents Chreky in the bankruptcy. Lawyers at Zuckerman bill $325 to $1,000 an hour.
• In just the past six months, Chreky has advanced a total of $850,000 in legal fees.
Through a spokeswoman, Chreky declined to comment.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 as a staff writer, and became a senior editor in 2014. She was previously a reporter for Legal Times and the National Law Journal. She lives in Northeast DC with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.
Editors' Picks
Check Out the Inspiring Personal Style (And Killer Outfits) of Nine of the Most Fashionable People in DC Right Now
Would Amazon’s HQ2 Really Be Good for Washington?
8 Day Trips to Do Every Weekend This Fall
The Man Who Sued His Trolls
Most Popular
Kavanaugh’s Character Witness Once Wrote About His Family for Washingtonian. Check Out What His Brother Wrote in to Rebut Him.
I Am Horrified That Brett Kavanaugh Used Girls From My School as a Prop
We Ate at Three of the Worst-Rated DC Restaurants on Yelp. Here’s What Happened.
The 100 Very Best Restaurants in Washington
We Are So Sorry to Tell You That the US Senate Cafeteria Is Holding a Mushroom Festival
September 2018: Style Setters
Related
There Are Still Six Confederate Memorials Around DC. How’s That Possible?
“Investment Layoff” Is a Masterpiece of Corporate Euphemism
Secret Service: Man Claimed to Be Jesus and Plotted to Kidnap One of the Obamas’ Dogs
The New York Times Thinks Its Readers Should Visit CityCenterDC. We Agree!
More from News
This New Political Board Game Is Like the DC Version of “Settlers of Catan”
Here’s How a 24-Year-Old Former House Intern Finally Got Congress to Pay Its Interns
Washingtonian Today: Supreme Court Drama, Trump Hotel Drama, Whole Foods Drama
Washingtonian Today: Once Again, Stormy