A federal judge has signed off on a consent decree that will force Bouchon Las Vegas to pay about $2 million and overhaul how it handles sexual harassment complaints. The deal resolves an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit that accused managers at the Venetian-based bistro of years of unwanted sexual advances, crude comments and physical contact directed at both female and male staff, and it installs new training, reporting procedures and outside oversight that are supposed to prevent a repeat.
Judge Signs Off
U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan approved the consent decree on July 8, 2026, locking in terms negotiated between Bouchon and the EEOC after months of discovery and failed efforts at conciliation, according to Reuters. With the order in place, the long-running federal case moves from fighting over what happened to monitoring how the restaurant tries to fix it.
What the EEOC Alleged
In its complaint, the EEOC said managers at Bouchon Las Vegas subjected employees to "unwanted and repeated sexual advances, sexual comments, sexually offensive conduct, and unwelcome physical contact" starting no later than 2018, according to an EEOC press release. The federal case was filed as EEOC v. KVP, LP et al. (No. 2:23-cv-01308) in Nevada, where the agency sought monetary relief for affected workers along with court-ordered changes to Bouchon’s workplace practices, according to Justia. Public filings lay out who is named in the suit and the specific conduct the government says crossed the line.
Terms Of The Deal
Under the consent decree, Bouchon agreed to pay $2 million to resolve the claims and to roll out a four-year program of internal reforms. That package includes mandatory harassment training, revamped internal complaint procedures and the appointment of an outside monitor who will review how complaints are received and handled, according to Reuters. The decree also spells out that monetary awards will be distributed to eligible workers who were employed at the restaurant during the time period covered by the suit.
Legal Implications
The agreement is a civil consent decree, enforceable by the federal court, and is aimed at providing compensation and injunctive relief rather than criminal penalties. The EEOC had said it was seeking both money damages for workers and broad workplace reforms to address the alleged pattern of misconduct. The federal docket, summarized on Justia, outlines the agency’s claims and the relief it asked the court to impose.
Where Bouchon Fits In
Bouchon serves as the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group’s Las Vegas outpost, a high-end French bistro tucked inside The Venetian Resort on the Strip. The spot has long marketed itself as a polished escape from the casino floor, even as these allegations were working their way through court. The restaurant’s address and ownership details are listed by the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group and on The Venetian dining pages, which also provide directions and contact information.
What's Next
With the consent decree now entered, the court will oversee reports from the outside monitor and Bouchon’s compliance over the next four years, while current and former employees get a set window to file claims for a share of the settlement fund. Any new filings, compliance updates or attempts to enforce or modify the decree will show up on the public docket for case No. 2:23-cv-01308, which can be tracked on Justia.
