Manhattan restaurateur behind the Buddha bar has filed for bankruptcy as he faces a $2million sexual harassment suit by a former Chanel model.

Frederick Lesort, 48, filed papers claiming he only has $10,711 assets but $5,432,086 in liabilities.

The entrepreneur is facing a claim from the former girlfriend of Entourage star Jeremy Piven that she was harassed by a manager at one of his restaurants.



Lawyers for former model Ashley Chantos have accused the restaurateur of filing for bankruptcy to avoid the impact of their client's case.

'He filed for bankruptcy to try to avoid the ramifications of Ms Chontos' complaint,' Matthew Blit told the New York Post.

 

'We now have to wait for the bankruptcy judge to make a decision as to whether Lesort does not qualify for bankruptcy.'

Miss Chantos said: 'I find it really hard to believe that he filed for bankruptcy. He still throws parties and events.'

She claims that she was sexually harassed and fired as a waitress from Mr Lesort's now closed Jour et Nuit restaurant in Manhattan.




According to court documents, manager Daniel Koch touched her and made lewd comments about her body before firing her in February 2008.

'I couldn't stand going to work anymore because this guy was trying to sleep with me,' Miss Chontos said.

'He texted me often and asked me about my boyfriend and said he would treat me better,' she said.

Mr Lesort's lawyer said that the bankruptcy, filed on May 5, was not connected to the case.

David Wander told the Post: 'There's no connection whatsoever between Mr. Lesort's need for bankruptcy relief and the lawsuit by Ms. Chontos.'