**Keith McNally Faces Legal Action Over Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination**
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Keith McNally, the renowned New York City restaurateur famed for establishments such as Balthazar and Pastis, has been served with a considerable lawsuit. His former assistant, Daniela Scivetti, is claiming $20 million in damages, alleging a sustained pattern of sexual harassment and gender discrimination during her employment with him.
Scivetti’s civil complaint was lodged on 12 August 2023 in the New York County Supreme Court. The legal document states that she worked under McNally between 9 September and 11 November 2025. Despite her assertions of having performed satisfactorily in her role, Scivetti contends that she became the victim of McNally’s inappropriate attention and discrimination.
According to the lawsuit, Scivetti asserts that McNally regularly made comments regarding her physical appearance, vacillating between compliments and criticisms based on how she looked on any given day. This was not the only source of discomfort, as Scivetti claims that McNally coerced her into performing tasks outside her job description, including assisting in massages at his personal residence under pressure and without prior consent.
Adding to the allegations, Scivetti claims that McNally frequently attempted to influence her perceptions regarding sexual assault allegations against director Woody Allen. She reports that he expressed his belief in Allen’s innocence and encouraged her to explore the director’s works. Further complicating matters, she alleges he insisted that she read his own book, “I Regret Almost Everything,” which discusses similar claims of past sexual harassment.
The lawsuit also detailed an incident from 10 October 2025, where, without warning, McNally reportedly hugged and kissed Scivetti during a work function, a breach of personal boundaries that she claims left her feeling uncomfortable.
In the aftermath of these encounters, Scivetti took the step of reporting McNally’s behaviour to a supervisor within his company, Penny Lane Management L.P. However, she alleges that her concerns were dismissed, and she faced retaliation. Scivetti recalls being “chastised, mocked, belittled, and criticised” by McNally, ultimately leading her to feel forced out of her role.
Her reassignment to less significant duties culminated in her dismissal on 11 November, which she asserts was due to fabricated “performance issues.” The case, which cites two counts of unlawful discrimination and retaliation, seeks $5 million in damages for each count.
In response to the lawsuit, McNally made his position clear through an Instagram post on 13 August 2023. He claims that Scivetti was hired following his stroke, shortly before she proved to be unreliable in her role. McNally defended his actions, asserting that he had context for each of the allegations made against him. He maintains that Scivetti’s claims lack foundation and suggested her actions could undermine genuine cases of discrimination.
As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties have emphasised their intentions to vigorously pursue their narratives. Public interest in the case is likely given McNally’s high-profile status in the New York dining scene and the serious nature of the allegations made against him.
Legal experts have noted that the outcome of such cases can hinge on the presentation of evidence and the credibility of witness testimonies. Scivetti’s decision to come forward with her experience may encourage other individuals with similar grievances to speak up, amid an ongoing cultural shift towards accountability in the workplace.
As developments continued to emerge following the lawsuit’s filing, it remains to be seen how McNally’s defence will materialise in court, as well as the broader implications for workplace conduct within the hospitality industry. The public will be closely monitoring how this high-profile case unfolds in the months to come.