A convenience store owner is being sued for alleged sexual battery after trying to get a suspected shoplifter to have sex with him in exchange for not contacting police.
Gabrielle Umberger filed a complaint June 18 in Cook County Circuit Court against Tapas Dutta, who was the manager of a Circle K convenience store at 7201 N. Cicero Ave., Lincolnwood, on June 24, 2014, when the plaintiff was on the premises.
Dutta accused Umberger of shoplifting at that time and escorted the woman to his back office, the lawsuit states. During that time, the lawsuit states, Dutta allegedly rubbed her breasts in a sexual manner under the pretext of searching her for contraband. She also was allegedly forced to lift up her shift to show her naked breasts to Dutta.
Then, the lawsuit states, Dutta, while pulling his penis out of his pants, "began a furious campaign for the plaintiff to have sex with him in exchange for not calling the police." She allegedly refused the offer and was allegedly let go without the police being called.
The plaintiff, citing false imprisonment, battery and the intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeks damages of more than $150,000, plus costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Jeffrey S. Deutschman and Lesley Pickering, of Deutschman and Associates PC in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2015L006191.