DETROIT – What was supposed to be a fun night out to see Justin Timberlake at Little Caesars Arena turned into what one woman describes as a sexual harassment nightmare — followed by the loss of her job.
Now, she’s filed a civil suit.
“This is a man who is responsible for my livelihood – he cuts my check,” said Stephanie Starling, a former director of sales for Amerilodge Group. “I’m at work. My life, my job – everything is at stake.”
Starling, of Saginaw, has filed a lawsuit against Amerilodge President and CEO Asad Malik and the company.
She stated that the incident occurred on Feb. 20, 2025, during a work outing with approximately a dozen coworkers.
Alleged harassment at the concert
According to Starling and her attorney, while grabbing food away from the group, Malik leaned in and told Starling: “I was going to kiss you.”
She said he pressed further, adding: “I’m serious – it’ll probably be a good kiss later on tonight.”
Starling said she laughed it off and tried to keep her distance, but things escalated once they were seated at a booth.
“He like slid his hand under my leg and like slides up my butt and starts squeezing, and I’m like — I couldn’t even believe it. I’m like visibly shaking,” Starling said.
Starling said she ran to hide in the bathroom, in tears, texting her brother: “I’m at Little Caesars Arena and just legitimately got molested by my CEO.”
She also informed other family members and her manager.
“I’m trying not to make a scene; there’s the VP of finance, people from the corporate office,” Starling said.
But on the ride back to the hotel, Starling said Malik tried again.
“He unbuckled his seatbelt, and I’m like, ‘What are you doing?’ And he’s like, ‘I’m going in for that kiss.’ I’m like, ‘No, I can’t,’” Starling said.
Fallout after reporting
Two days later, Starling said she reported the incident to human resources.
She was told a “third-party company through the state of Michigan” would handle a confidential investigation.
But according to the lawsuit, the interview was conducted by an attorney from a private law firm that also represents Amerilodge.
Weeks later, she was informed that her claims could not be substantiated because there were no eyewitnesses to corroborate them.
Starling said she was offered a “one-month severance” in exchange for signing away her rights, which she declined.
During this time, Starling said her work environment soured. She described hostility, micromanagement, and pressure to quit.
On March 12, 2025, after disclosing to a supervisor that she was struggling emotionally, she discovered that her company email had been cut off.
The next day, she said she received an email from HR: “I get an email that says we’re upholding your resignation. And I’m like, what resignation?” Starling said.
Company Response
A spokesperson for Amerilodge and Malik told Local 4 that Malik remains the president and CEO of the company.
“We do not comment on pending litigation; however, we do look forward to defending what we believe are baseless accusations in a court of law,” Starling said.
“I know the truth. God knows the truth. He knows the truth,” said Starling. “And I know that there’s more women that this has happened to. I know for a fact.”
Starling also alleges that Amerilodge had knowledge of prior complaints about Malik but failed to take action against him.
The company operates hotels in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana under Hilton, Marriott, and IHG brands.