EAST LANSING - A local woman is suing the owners of Pinball Pete's after she says she was denied a job application for a position at the business because of her gender and "petite" body size.

East Lansing resident Melissa Rill, 46, filed the lawsuit against 3TM, Inc., doing business as Pinball Pete's on Feb. 12 in Ingham County Circuit Court. In it, she said a manager at the long-time entertainment spot refused to allow her to apply for a closing-shift position because she is a woman.

Rill was discriminated against based on her gender, a violation of state law and the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, according to her complaint.

A person who responded to an email sent to Pinball Pete's declined to comment.

"At this time we have no comments to make on this matter," the person wrote in an email signed "Pete's" on Tuesday, March 3.

Tad Roumayah, an attorney representing Rill, said a manager's unwillingness to let her apply for the open position was a "blatant" violation of her civil rights.

“Michigan law plainly prohibits employers from refusing to hire someone because of their gender,” he said. “Pinball Pete’s stated position that it only hires men for the closing shift position is direct evidence of unlawful discrimination. Our client was qualified for the position and denied the job solely because she is a woman, in direct violation of her civil rights. We intend to hold the company accountable and to send a message that discriminatory hiring practices have no place in our communities.”

The arcade and gaming business, located off Albert Avenue, has been a mainstay in East Lansing for decades.

In May of 2024 Pinball Pete's hiring manager Jeffrey Piotter told Rill he only hires men for evening positions at the East Lansing business, and that he was concerned she was "too petite" for the job, according to the lawsuit. The complaint claims he wouldn't provide Rill with a job application.

"(t)o be honest…," he told her, according to the lawsuit. "Now, I'm skirting the law a little here, but honestly, I wouldn't let my daughter close this place up. These are drunk men, and you don't know what's out there or what they'd do to you. I typically hire guys for evening/night positions."

During her conversation with Piotter, Rill said she insisted she was capable and qualified for the position. Piotter didn't relent, according to the lawsuit.

"I'm really sorry," he told her, according to the complaint. "It's just not a good position for someone small like you. I only hire males for this position."

He then indicated he would let her son or husband fill out an application for the job if they were interested.

Rill filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights days later, according to the lawsuit.

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Roumayah said Rill attempted to communicate her concerns with Pinball Pete's ownership, 3TM, Inc., but they never responded to requests for a meeting.

"They did not want to come to the table or discuss it any meaningful manner," he said.

The lawsuit is a learning experience for employees, who have protected civil rights when they apply for employment, and businesses who have an obligation to consider those rights, Roumayah said.

"If nothing else it just reminds everyone that, 'Look, we have laws that prevent this kind of stuff,'" he said.

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on X @GrecoatLSJ.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Pinball Pete's in East Lansing sued for refusing to hire 'petite' woman