BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A Palm Beach County woman has filed a civil complaint against Chanel, Inc. in Circuit Court, alleging the company retaliated against her after she reported sexual harassment and later failed to interview or hire her for another position.
The case, Rayane Thibodeau v. Chanel, Inc., was filed April 7, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, under Case No. 502026CA003919XXXAMB.
According to the complaint, plaintiff Rayane Thibodeau is a Palm Beach County resident and Chanel is a foreign corporation doing business in Florida. The filing says the claims are brought under the Florida Civil Rights Act. The complaint was submitted by Remer, Georges-Pierre, & Hoogerwoerd, PLLC on behalf of the plaintiff. No defense law firm is identified in the complaint.
The complaint says Thibodeau began working for Chanel in or about August 2020 as an assistant manager and was qualified for the position. It alleges that beginning in or about November 2020, she was subjected to repeated and unwelcome sexual harassment by a supervisor identified in the filing as Paul Rados. The alleged conduct included comments describing her as “attractive” and “sunshine,” along with shoulder massages that the complaint describes as unwelcome physical contact.
According to the complaint, Thibodeau reported the alleged harassment to Human Resources in or about August 2021. The filing says that complaint was protected activity under the Florida Civil Rights Act. It further alleges Chanel terminated Rados, but also suspended Thibodeau over alleged conduct involving the removal of a security camera at his direction.
The complaint says that during the suspension, Thibodeau tried to remain with the company by applying for a transfer to another Chanel location. It alleges that before she could complete or meaningfully pursue that process, Chanel terminated her employment on or about Sept. 20, 2021.
After her termination, the filing says, Thibodeau remained interested in working for Chanel and later applied for an open position for which she says she was qualified. According to the complaint, Chanel confirmed receipt of the application but did not contact her for an interview, did not give her meaningful consideration, and did not hire her. The complaint alleges that happened because of her earlier harassment complaint and her opposition to unlawful employment practices.
The lawsuit includes two counts. Count I alleges retaliation under the Florida Civil Rights Act based on Chanel’s alleged failure to interview and hire her. Count II alleges discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation. The complaint claims similarly situated applicants outside her protected classes were treated more favorably and alleges Chanel’s reasons for not hiring her were pretextual. Those are allegations made by the plaintiff and have not been proven in court.
Thibodeau seeks damages including lost earnings and earning capacity, loss of employment opportunities, emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish, and other compensatory damages. The complaint also seeks back pay, front pay, attorney’s fees and costs, interest, and injunctive and equitable relief. It includes a demand for jury trial.
The original complaint, Rayane Thibodeau v. Chanel, Inc., Case No. 502026CA003919XXXAMB, as filed April 7, 2026, with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
Boca Post reports on newly filed Boca Raton lawsuits using public court records from the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, providing context and clarity readers won’t find in copied summaries or legal directory listings.
