Link in bio to read more about the new Twist and Shout owner, Patrick Brown! EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article inaccurately described a plaintiff. "Todd was sitting right next to me and he put his hand on my thigh, and I slapped his hand away," Nichols recalled. This includes directly interviewing sources and research / analysis of primary source documents. Buffalo Exchange operates a chain of retail used clothing stores across the country. We did not have control over their business operations, hiring, employee documentation, or terminations, including access to employee records or paperwork such as exit interviews. Perfect for a date night or dinner with a friend! She also recalled a store meeting when Colletti allegedly touched her inappropriately in front of her colleagues. The following day, Buffalo Exchange Corporate cut ties with the Colorado stores, and the local franchise owners decided to shut. Small Business Spotlight: KinkedIn Is a Sex-Positive Networking Group for Denver Professionals, Our Must-See Picks for Month of Photography 2023, A Dozen Things to Do for Free in Denver (and Beyond) This Week, After Three Extensions, Julian Rubinstein's, Colorado Rapids Partners With Artist Pat Milbery on Major League Soccer Jersey, Josh Miller Fuses Drag With Political Activism as Laura Menorah. The lawsuit also named Scout: Dry Goods & Trade, the store that now operates a similar business at the South Broadway Buffalo Exchange store, as it states on information and belief that co-founders of Tanaka are owners and managers at the new store (excluding Colletti) and therefore still liable. I realized that this was the norm.. Once the doors opened to Little Finch, it became clear that the rebirth of 16th Street Mall was in full swing. In December of 2020, Westword reported that the Denver District Attorney would not pursue charges against Colletti, saying that the allegations couldnt be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury. Turns out, a copy was on the shelf. Denver's independent source of "By treating all of their employees like this, it sends a message that they're the ones at fault somehow, like the employees are the ones to blame for speaking out about this abuse, and if they hadn't, maybe they'd still have their jobs," said the Buffalo in the Room account manager. They were well aware of the dozens of complaints that went to them about Todd from ex-employees, she said. Last summer, after @buffalo.in.the.room blew up online, Buffalo Exchange LTD shut down all of its Colorado branches and released an open letter in support of the employees whod spoken out. He also opened a darkroom in the basement, the lawsuit claims. Buffalo Exchange, which is based in Tucson, Arizona, posted an open letter on its website on July 30, after dozens of employees and others came forward anonymously with accusations against. Buffalo Exchange is a national resale chain known for hip vintage clothes and an inclusive atmosphere. #sponsored was filed by ex-employees and victims of alleged abuse against Buffalo Exchange and Todd Colletti, co-founder of The Buffalo Exchange Colorado Stores and its parent companies Tatanka, Forgotten Works and Watermelon Sugar and their co-founders. The suit alleges Colletti converted the basement of the chains former store on Broadway in Denver into a bar for parties, where he set up a darkroom to take nude photographs of employees and other party attendees. By July 28, Buffalo Exchange Colorado had booted Colletti. Plaintiffs say local branch owner Todd Colletti sexually assaulted and harassed them, and that corporate and regional owners aided and abetted his abuse. On Feb. 23, 2023, with limited seating, the first-ever Denver Short Film Festival will showcase filmmakers from around the world. . Our EAP offers counseling sessions, financial and legal consulting, along with substance use counseling, and assistance/resources for many areas. He also physically abused employees by punching them in the arm, slapping them, jabbing them and twisting the skin on their arms, according to the suit. So far, no charges have been filed, and Denver and Boulder police are asking for anyone with information to come forward. "Anyone who stayed later at the parties who did more of Todd's drugs, they were afforded a certain amount of privilege, and I felt like they would stick around for longer with the company it paid off to party with Todd.". Thats when I realized how often he assaulted other people, too. Amanda Pruess says Colletti sexually assaulted her after hearing shed broken up with her boyfriend. According to a press release from, , the victims who shared their stories seek damages including economic restitution and compensation to make up for harms and injuries like mental pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation and impairment of quality of life.. We were not the employer of any of the individuals asserting claims.". Sharing our About page with your own personal comments could really help us out. Were harnessing the power of connection to build a movement that changes how we look at addiction and recovery in this country. Denver's independent source of Accusations against Colletti date back at least a decade, according to the lawsuit. "He would call me lovebug, and weird little pet names like that," Nichols said. . / CBS Colorado. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Parker stated that as an employee from 2008-2014, she experienced Collettis emotional and physical abuse. . She and other former employees told CBS4 Investigates about wild parties Colletti regularly held in the basement of the Denver store on Broadway, where Colletti allegedly gave drugs to his employees. Clara Pruess, who says Colletti sexually harassed and assaulted her when she worked at Buffalo Exchange, says she watched him groom many fellow employees mostly young women and people within the LGBTQ+ community. . Most of the people that the company hired were young and fairly new to the workforce and didnt have a realistic idea of what a professional work environment was, she said. Buffalo Exchange, which is based in Tucson, Arizona, posted an open letter on its website on July 30, 2020, after dozens of employees and others came forward anonymously with accusations against Colletti. Nicholson has covered a variety of beats including suburbs, courts, crime and general assignment. CBS4 Investigates spoke exclusively with one of the people who started that Instagram account about the alleged culture of drugs, abuse, and harassment behind the scenes at Buffalo Exchange, which Denver police, with the help of the FBI, are now investigating. . . 306K subscribers in the Denver community. Lawsuit To Be Filed Against Former Owner Of Colorado's Buffalo Exchange, Todd Colletti. Everybody called him a gentle giant, just a big teddy bear personality.". This opportunity will provide five local designers with runway experience, a platform to share their designs and the chance to participate in DFW Spring 2023 on April 22 30. The first location opened in April 1988. We were not the employer of any of the individuals asserting claims.. Colletti allegedly fostered a hypersexualized and toxic work environment in Colorado Buffalo Exchange stores. Four women are expected to file a lawsuit against their former boss, Todd Colletti, on May 11. Four plaintiffs Alyssa Detert, Alex Myers, Amanda Pruess and Clara Pruess filed the lawsuit, claiming Colletti and the company through a lack of action created a hostile work environment based on sex Mr. Colletti verbally and physically harassed his employees, even sexually assaulting several of them., Complaints to the company, owned by Kerstin Block, were ignored or forwarded to Colletti to handle, according to the suit, creating a hostile work environment for all employees., He pinched me, poked me, ridiculed me, shamed me and gaslit me, said Amanda Pruess, at the news conference. The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state our community can better understand itself. #303magazine #303fashion #denverfashionweek #denverdesigner #localdesigner #designerchallenge #denverfashion @chelseahandler is headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater for@seriesfest closing night and weregiving away two tickets for you to see her perform a night of comedy on May 10, 2023! The lawsuit requests class action status on behalf of all employees of the Buffalo Exchange locations in Colorado. DENVER, Colo. (CBS4) - Multiple former employees of The Buffalo Exchange clothing stores in Colorado have filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging former owner Todd Colletti sexually. We cannot comment on a legal filing that we have not seen. "Their experiences are devastating. Todd isallegedly, and with near 100 corroborating stories, posts, and more every hourthe problem. His food has always been far out, though its never relied on novelty over quality. CBS4 Investigator Kati Weis spoke with former employees. Opinion: Should Robin Farris, convicted murderer, get to start her second chance early? Either we numb ourselves so we cant feel the chill, or we speed ourselves up so our bodys maintaining a warm temperature.. Drug usage will probably go up because thats one way we stay warm. The artistic creatives of Denver always succeed, even when it comes to styling something as seemingly dull as a lavatory. The proposal would quadruple the stipend from $750 to $3,000. A formal complaint issued Tuesday morning alleges that Colletti assaulted and harassed former Buffalo Exchange Colorado employees, that Buffalo Exchange aided and abetted Collettis actions, and that both corporate and regional owners knew of his behavior and even witnessed it at parties in the Broadway locations basement, where they allowed him to operate a bar. Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. The plaintiffs are now seeking relief for emotional, economic, and physical damages and legal costs. At least one class has already been defined as Buffalo Exchanges Colorado employees who were subject to a hostile work environment based on sex in the months prior to Dec. 23, 2015. CBS4 Investigates called Colletti's most recent publicly listed phone number for comment, but the line was no longer in service. @denver.foodie Colletti groomed her as a mentee, she said, before getting her drunk and sexually assaulting her. Amanda Pruess worked at Buffalo Exchange from 2010-2016. We have extended our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) -- a great resource that's free, anonymous and confidential -- to former Colorado franchise employees. Four former employees of Buffalo Exchange filed a civil lawsuit in Denver District Court Tuesday claiming the former co-owner and co-founder of Buffalo Exchange Colorado, Todd Colletti, harassed and sexually assaulted them and that the parent company did nothing to protect or aid employees after multiple complaints were made over several years. It explains Colletti, who is one of six owners of Buffalo Exchange Colorado, is not allowed on the company's premises or to have any contact with employees. Still on the clock, 100% drinking on the job," Nichols said. Chris Hinds is running for reelection to represent District 10 and the disability community. In her free time, Abby is reading, writing, shopping, or searching for the best thrift and vintage shops in town. RELATED: 'This will result in a culture change': Independent panel to investigate sexual harassment claims in Colorado Judicial branch, RELATED: McDonald's to mandate training to combat harassment, discrimination worldwide. The District Attorney's Office did not file charges because "we did not believe we could prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury," a spokesperson said. I am sorry this happened to you and that it took so long. Email: lucy@coloradosun.com Twitter: They know exactly what they said back to those ex-employees, how they claimed that there was nothing they could do, despite having their name on the building within which girls were getting abused on a weekly basis.. Learn more about us atthephoenix.org. and help keep the future of Westword, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. 303 MagazineAbby SchirmacherBen Lebsack of Lowrey Parady Lebsack LLCbuffalo exchangelawsuitTodd Colletti. Parker is unable to be a plaintiff due to the statute of limitations; however, she openly spoke about her time at Buffalo Exchange. Ben Lebsack, lead lawyer on the complaint, shared an email included in the filing during Tuesday's news conference that Block sent to Colletti in which she took Colletti's side in the ordeal. . The story was also updated to include a statement from Buffalo Exchanges corporate office. We all deserve better.. "He was a very scary, intimidating, rude, manipulative person.". During the press conference, she explained that during her employment, Colletti inappropriately touched her, taunted her and sexually assaulted her. Buffalo Exchanges corporate office, which is in Arizona, also revoked the Colorado franchises rights to use the Buffalo Exchange brand and name, 303 Magazine reported last year. The defendants have not yet been served with the complaint but will be in the coming days, Lebseck said, who added that if a trial goes forward, it would likely happen next spring or summer. 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