A manager at a well-known Franklin Square wedding venue is alleged to have verbally and sexually abused several underage staff members, according to a lawsuit.
Enrique Sanchez, who was employed as a manager and maître d’ at the Sand Castle, located at 505 Franklin Avenue, is accused of abusing three 15 year-old boys by kissing them as well as repeatedly grabbing and touching their genitals. He also purportedly forced at least one of his victims to touch his penis and forcefully inserted his fingers into other’s backsides, after which he would make them “smell” his fingers.
The alleged abuse was also physical, with the lawsuit claiming that Sanchez Would often berate his victims with vulgar and inappropriate quotes such as “Wanna ****?” and “You wanna put this **** in your mouth?” and “That *** is fat. I bet it’s tight.”
According to their attorney, Jitesh Dudanihe, three teenage victims – who are now 17 – had worked at the Sandcastle during summer 2022 through August 2023.
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of New York on Saturday, March 30, claims that the owner and upper management of the wedding venue were aware of Sanchez’s sexual abuse of the underage staff members at the venue, but did nothing to stop it. In addition, Dudanihe claimed that Sanchez would retaliate against the victims on the occassions that they attempted to report his abuse to management.
“Sand Castle must be held accountable for its clear violations of federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and Sanchez for engaging in sexual assault and battery,” Dudani said. “These boys were brave to speak out despite being scarred and scared.”
Attorneys representing the teens said that they believe that there may be other victims of Sanchez who have not yet come forward with their abuse at his hands.
