Massachusetts Woman Sues City Over Alleged Assault by Business Owner
A woman from Massachusetts is suing the city of Hopkinton, claiming that local officials irresponsibly allowed a criminal immigrant, known for workplace sexual violence, to operate his business. She alleges he assaulted her when she was just 16 years old.
The lawsuit, which found its way to federal court on January 5, names Petros “Peter” Sismanis, a Greek national currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Court documents reveal that Sismanis was convicted in June 2025 of sexually assaulting the plaintiff while she worked at Hillier’s Pizza in 2023.
Interestingly, Sismanis had a criminal history dating back to 1998 when he was charged with rape and indecent assault involving a minor, which led to him being registered as a sex offender. Reports also mention he assaulted two employees while running a donut shop in Hopkinton.
Now at 19, the plaintiff argues that officials from Hopkinton, including the police chief and the business itself, contributed to a sexually hostile work environment. She claims these officials either knew or should have known about Sismanis’ history when he renewed Hillier’s Pizza’s license in 2016, a renewal process that involves multiple departments, including the police.
The lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages as noted in court filings. There’s a notable absence of record showing Hopkinton Police or Chief Bennett questioning Sismanis’ qualifications to manage a restaurant given his status as a registered sex offender. This oversight allegedly put at risk underage women who were often employed by him.
An attorney representing Hopkinton officials stated that the town acted correctly in renewing the license, expressing sympathy for the plaintiff but stressing that the actions taken were within legal boundaries at the time.
In 2023, the plaintiff claimed that Sismanis tricked her into the basement of the pizza place, where he forcibly kissed her and held her against her will. After she called her mother, Sismanis reportedly pleaded with them not to contact the police, exclaiming he’d rather be killed than face law enforcement. He even sabotaged his mother’s car to keep her from leaving home.
During the court proceedings, it was highlighted that the plaintiff was terrified during the assault and felt completely powerless, a sentiment captured in the legal documents.
Sismanis had faced multiple charges over the years, including those related to rape and indecent assault, but his most recent conviction resulted in a six-month prison sentence followed by his placement in ICE custody due to uncertain immigration status, which now finds him at a facility in California.
Prior to the 2023 incident, the Hopkinton police had reportedly received several complaints from female employees regarding Sismanis’ behavior, indicating a troubling pattern. Moreover, previous charges against him involved assaults on female employees while he operated another business in the area. The legal complexities surrounding his sex offender registration add another layer of confusion, as only offenders classified post-2013 are currently listed online, prompting individuals to check with local law enforcement for details about cases prior to that date.
Fox News Digital has reached out to relevant authorities for further insights into the case.
