N.J. casino lawsuit over skimpy uniforms settled

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Forty women employed at an Atlantic City casino have resolved their discrimination lawsuit over skimpy uniforms.

The lawsuit was filed in 2011 after Resorts Casino Hotel adopted a roaring '20s theme after the popularity of the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," which was based on Prohibition-era Atlantic City's reputation as the vice capital of the East Coast.

The uniforms were short, skin-revealing black dresses with deep open backs. Waitresses also wore fishnet stockings and ornate Jazz Age hats.

Older servers claimed they were told they had to audition for their jobs in the new skimpy flapper costumes. They said they were given costumes too small for them and were photographed in awkward poses that emphasized body fat.

A panel put together by an outside modeling agency recommended who should stay and who should go based on photographs of the auditions, according to court documents.

The workers' lawyer, Kevin Costello, tells The Press of Atlantic City the case is resolved, but he can't comment on the terms.

Resorts vice president and general counsel also confirmed the case was settled but wouldn't comment.

A Resorts statement in 2011 said the auditions were done "in a fair and objective manner."

"Boardwalk Empire" ended its run Sunday.