MERRILL, WI (WTAQ) - A restaurant in Merrill has agreed to pay $41,000 to settle claims that a cook sexually harassed waitresses – and some of the waitresses were fired for complaining.

The New Pine Ridge Restaurant was taken to court by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The agency said the cook stirred up a hostile work environment by making crude comments to female food servers, and grabbing their breasts.

The agency said the women complained – and not only did the owner fail to stop the harassment, the government said some of the waitresses lost their jobs for speaking up.

One former waitress will get $41,000 under the settlement. And the Pine Ridge owner, manager, and employees will get training about employee rights.