Pearl Ultra Lounge is blaming fellow Ala Moana Center tenant Romano’s Macaroni Grill restaurant for causing a toxic mold outbreak that forced the nightclub to shut down, according a lawsuit Pearl filed in federal court last week.

When Pearl announced its closing July 31, the club said it was for renovations.

In its lawsuit, Pearl said improper drainage, defective or deteriorated floor seals, clogged drains or clogged piping caused water to overflow onto the nightclub’s premises, which is directly below the restaurant. Pearl claims water seepage damaged its ceiling and wall systems and allowed for the growth of microbes including stachybotrys, known as "toxic black mold."

Pearl claims it will have to pay $65,000 for the cleanup, $20,000 for consultation fees and $1 million to reconstruct the nightclub’s interior. In addition, Pearl claims it is losing $210,000 per month in gross income during the shutdown and is having to pay $160,000 per month to maintain its lease and employees.

Macaroni Grill spokesman Jay Kaneshiro said in a written statement that the restaurant is unaware of any situation that warrants Pearl’s claims and that the restaurant does not have any problem with excessive moisture.

"Further, we are obviously not responsible for the upkeep of Pearl’s facilities," Kaneshiro said.