Paladino restaurant owner arrested for sexual harassment in Belo Horizonte

Marcelo Haddad Guerra, 47, a co-owner of the Paladino restaurant in Belo Horizonte, was arrested in flagrante following allegations of sexual harassment by a 20-year-old employee. The victim, a children's recreational worker, reported that the incident occurred in a storage room used for activity materials.

According to the police report, Guerra allegedly approached the employee, inquired about a piercing she wore, and proceeded to touch her breasts and slap her buttocks. The victim stated she was stunned, moved away, and asked him to stop, but he reportedly dismissed the encounter as a joke. Security cameras were present in the area at the time of the alleged incident.

Guerra was released by the judiciary on Wednesday. His defense team has denied all accusations, stating they are confident that an impartial investigation will prove his innocence. The restaurant has announced that the chef has been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation and expressed solidarity with the complainant.