PALM BEACH, FL — A former receptionist and salon manager has sued the businesses behind Palm Beach's Brazilian Court Hotel and its on-site salon, alleging she endured years of sexual harassment, unwanted touching and a hostile work environment before she was fired, according to a complaint filed this month in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit, Leanne Maria Molella v. One Brazilian Court Salon LLC, was filed July 13, 2026, in the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County. Court records list the case number as 502026CA007807XXXAMB. Molella is represented by the law firm William M. Julien, P.A., of Boynton Beach, with attorneys Olivia F. Povedano and William M. Julien signing the complaint.
The complaint names three defendants: One Brazilian Court Salon LLC, which does business as Brazilian Court Salon; CSC Brazilian, L.P., which does business as Brazilian Court and Brazilian Court Hotel; and Brazilian Court Condominium Association, Inc. The filing refers to them together as the corporate defendant and alleges they operated as joint employers.
According to the complaint, Molella began working as a receptionist and salon manager at the company's Palm Beach location in or around February 2019. The lawsuit alleges that throughout her employment she was subjected to frequent, often daily sexual comments, gestures and unwanted physical contact by male managers and employees.
The complaint alleges male employees and a male director regularly made explicit remarks about her body and appearance, touched her without permission, and displayed sexual images and videos in the workplace. It also alleges that female employees at times pulled at her clothing in front of male coworkers. The lawsuit claims the conduct was directed at Molella because she is female.
The filing further alleges that a male director and other coworkers used racial slurs, including the N-word, and made racially derogatory comments. The complaint alleges that Molella, as salon manager, was told not to hire Black applicants and that management declined qualified candidates who were people of color.
Molella alleges she complained to management about the harassment on numerous occasions but that the company took no action. The lawsuit alleges she was fired for pretextual reasons in or around October 2024, in retaliation for her complaints, shortly after she complained about a male director massaging a female customer's shoulders.
The complaint raises eight counts: intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, common law battery, civil assault, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and two claims under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 for sexual harassment and discrimination and for retaliation.
The lawsuit says Molella filed a charge with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and that more than 180 days passed without a finding, a step required before pursuing certain state civil rights claims in court. A copy of the FCHR charge, dated July 2025, is attached to the complaint as an exhibit.
Molella is seeking damages of more than $50,000, according to the filing. The complaint seeks back pay, front pay, lost earnings, compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional injuries, medical and psychological expenses, punitive damages, interest, costs and attorney's fees. It also asks the court to bar the alleged discriminatory practices. Molella demands a trial by jury.
The claims are allegations that have not been proven in court. The complaint reviewed by Boca Post does not include a response from the defendants.
Source: Complaint, Leanne Maria Molella v. One Brazilian Court Salon LLC, et al., Case No. 502026CA007807XXXAMB, filed July 13, 2026, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida.
Boca Post reports on selected Palm Beach County lawsuits as part of its legal desk coverage, helping readers follow public court filings involving local people, businesses, and organizations.
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