A legal battle is brewing in Chicago, as the Hubbard Inn, a restaurant located in the River North neighborhood, has filed a lawsuit against a woman who claimed in a viral TikTok video that she was assaulted by the establishment's security. The video, which has since been removed by the woman, Julia Reel, alleged that a bouncer manhandled her and threw her down the stairs, resulting in bruises and a concussion. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the restaurant is accusing Reel of defamation, claiming she triggered a flood of negative reviews and threats against Hubbard Inn.
Reel, 22, said in her video that the bouncer "sends me flying down the staircase," according to her TikTok post, which was viewed over 100,000 times. Hubbard Inn, in response, has released security video footage on TikTok purporting to show her calmly being escorted out, stating, "Below is footage of Ms. Reel walking down the stairs toward the exit." However, Reel's attorneys at the firm Corboy & Demetrio are questioning the restaurant video's completeness, pointing out a gap in the footage, a "misleading narrative" and that the security video does not show the complete staircase, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Holding back further comments, neither party agreed to interviews. Reel declined an interview with the Sun-Times, and Carmen Rossi, the owner of Hubbard Inn, also refrained from speaking to the press. The restaurant's lawyers, meantime, alleged that Reel and her friend were verbally abusive to staff, which prompted the escort outside.
Further complicating the public reaction, comments on Reddit discussing the incident were locked down due to threats against Reel. Reel's legal representatives have urged the public to avoid "a rush to judgment and/or victim shaming until all of the evidence is presented in a court of law," a sentiment echoed in their TikTok video statement. On the legal front, Bill Gibbs, Reel's attorney, chose not to comment on the lawsuit, but conveyed through a spokesperson that "The civil justice system is well equipped to resolve the disputes between the parties."
As for Chicago police, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on March 10. Following the altercation, Reel sought treatment at Northwestern Memorial Hospital's emergency department. Adding to the management's woes, Rossi had been fined last year for City Hall lobbying violations. Rossi's spokesperson said they had hoped to avoid a lawsuit, but the decision to file was made after Reel's lawyers posted another video attacking the establishment. The Hubbard Inn has been serving customers since 2011 under 8 Hospitality, intent on defending its reputation.
