Former Warlord hostess details sexual assault allegations against star chef Trevor Fleming

Former Warlord hostess Julia Suhr details sexual assault allegations against chef Trevor Fleming, contributing to a wider investigation into abuse at the Chicago restaurant.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Block Club Chicago

Hostess Breaks Silence on Alleged Assault by High-Profile Chef

Julia Suhr, who served as the primary hostess during the rapid ascent of the Avondale restaurant Warlord, has come forward with a detailed account of sexual assault involving the establishment's former star chef, Trevor Fleming. Suhr alleges that the incident occurred in May 2024 after she attempted to end a secret sexual relationship with Fleming, who was her direct supervisor. According to Suhr, the chef ignored her lack of consent and verbal pleas during the encounter, an act she has now formally categorized as assault in an effort to warn other women in the industry.

A Pattern of Workplace Misconduct and Secret Relationships

The allegations brought forth by Suhr are part of a broader investigation into the workplace culture at Warlord, located at 3198 N. Milwaukee Ave. Multiple former employees have reported that Fleming engaged in several clandestine sexual relationships with staff members while maintaining his position of authority. Eight former workers and four of Fleming's former romantic partners have corroborated stories of mistreatment, bullying, and harassment. These accounts suggest that Fleming’s behavior was an "open secret" within the restaurant, allegedly known by co-owners Emily Kraszyk and John Lupton for months before formal action was taken.

Legal Escalation and Co-Owner Fallout

The situation reached a critical point in early 2026 after Fleming was charged with a felony for sharing an explicit image of a woman without her consent. In response to the mounting public pressure and a significant decline in business, Kraszyk and Lupton filed a lawsuit in February 2026 seeking to legally remove Fleming from the business. The co-owners have publicly stated they refuse to be associated with an individual who preys on women, though former employees like Suhr claim that initial reports of the abuse were "shut down" or ignored when first brought to management's attention in 2024.