Newhall business owner Sam Albert Gardian is scheduled to return to court on November 20 due to allegations against him of sexual misconduct with an employee.

“The next court date for this case is November 20 and it is scheduled for jury trial,” said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Gardian, owner of Southern Smoke BBQ & Brewhouse on Main Street, was charged back in 2016 with two misdemeanor counts of battery and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery in connection with the allegation, according to officials.

Related: Case Continues For Newhall Business Owner Accused Of Sexual Harassment

Gardian’s attorney characterized the charges and an accompanying lawsuit as a retaliation attempt by an employee who was disciplined on multiple occasions at Southern Smoke BBQ & Brewhouse on Main Street.

“Mr. Gardian looks forward to defending against these false claims. There was never any sexual battery. The alleged victim was written up on multiple occasions for misconduct at work,” said defense attorney David Diamond in a previous KHTS article. “In fact, the allegations only arose after she was given her final warning, with a threat of termination.”

Gardian pleaded not guilty in June 2016 to the misdemeanor charges in penal code section 242, “Any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another,” and section 243.4(E)(1).

Related: Employee Accuses Newhall Restaurant Owner Of Sexual Harassment

Court records indicate the alleged incident took place April 24, 2016, and the charges were filed on June 27, 2016, by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. The charges include an allegation that the victim was employed by the suspect.

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