CHICAGO — A former restaurant employee has been awarded $4.5 million after a jury found that a renowned chef subjected him to years of harassment. Cody Nason, who briefly worked as a service captain at the now-shuttered Acadia restaurant in Chicago’s South Loop, filed a lawsuit against chef Ryan McCaskey, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and interference with his contract.
After deliberating for two hours, the jury decided in favor of Nason on September 20, concluding a legal battle that stemmed from accusations of a targeted online harassment campaign. In addition to the compensation for damages, the jury ordered McCaskey to pay $2 million in punitive damages, highlighting the severity of his actions, according to Nason’s legal team.
Nason’s ordeal began after his departure from Acadia, where he had worked only six months in 2019. His lawsuit detailed a distressing series of events starting in August 2020, including a website that was launched under his name. This site not only disclosed his personal contact information but also featured racist and homophobic slurs, explicit solicitations, and distressing references to his deceased brother.
This online assault followed a June 2020 eruption of industry-wide attention on workplace abuse within the Chicago restaurant scene, brought on by an Instagram account named The 86’d List. It was during this tense period that a post surfaced on this account slamming McCaskey, based on contributions from several sources.
The subsequent digital targeting pushed Nason to secure a stalking no-contact order against McCaskey in September of the same year. Despite this legal restraint, the intensity of the harassment drove Nason to relocate from Chicago, plagued by ongoing anxiety.
The legal proceedings reached their climax in a trial at the Daley Center that stretched over five days. Both McCaskey and Nason testified, revealing the depth of the conflict.
McCaskey, who consistently denied the allegations, was represented in court statements by Roger Malavia from The Malavia Law Firm. “Ryan McCaskey is deeply disappointed by the jury’s verdict… He has always maintained he was not responsible for posting any defamatory content and intends to continue contesting these claims through the appeals process,” Malavia stated.
In contrast, Nason expressed gratitude for the judicial outcome through a statement released by his attorney, Daliah Saper. “The jury’s decision affirms the ordeal I endured. I am confident that even if there are appeals, the judgment will stand,” Nason communicated.
The ruling also entails a separate judgment against Corby Hagan, a former manager at Acadia, who ceased participating in the legal proceedings, resulting in a default judgment of $3,450,411.82 ordered by Cook County Judge Daniel Kubasiak.
As the legal battle potentially progresses into an appellate phase, both parties are gearing up for continued legal maneuvers.
The plaintiff currently resides in Los Angeles, working within the restaurant industry, and is determined to move past this chapter of his life. “I am focused on advancing my career and life, hoping to leave these events behind me,” Nason said.
Meanwhile, Chef McCaskey’s career has also evolved. After the incident and subsequent closing of Acadia, he shifted his culinary endeavors to Maine, working at The Restaurant at Pilgrim’s Inn during the past summer.
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