A sexual harassment lawsuit filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court alleges the Joplin Housing Authority did nothing to curb a supervisor who was allegedly sexually harassing the only female employee in the maintenance department.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Jamie Miller-Price, lists the Housing Authority and the supervisor, Earnest Charles, as defendants
On or about March 12, 2024, Plaintiff was sitting in her parked vehicle on Housing Authority property during business hours.The driver’s side window of her vehicle was rolled down and she was speaking with Mr. Charles about work. Mr. Charles reached his hand through the open window and caressed Plaintiff’s cheek with his hand in a sexual manner.
Mr. Charles began breathing heavily, appearing as though he was receiving sexual gratification from this conduct. Plaintiff froze up and was unable to move. She did not know what to do.
Subsequent to this interaction, Plaintiff reported Mr. Charles’ conduct to Debra Valdivia who was the operations manager at the Housing Authority.
In a later interaction, Plaintiff was seated while on duty. Mr. Charles’ approached Plaintiff from behind and pulled the elastic lining of her underwear and let go, making a pop sound.
Mr. Charles would make inappropriate comments during working hours such as calling Plaintiff “my girl”, telling her she should wear earrings to work, and telling her she had pretty eyes.
Subsequently, Mr. Charles again approached Plaintiff while she was sitting in her truck. He again reached his hand through the window and caressed Plaintiff’s cheek just as he had done previously during the March 2024 encounter.
Again, Plaintiff froze up, was unable to move, and did not know what to do. Plaintiff again reported this situation to operations manager Debra Valdivia.
On or about August 8, 2024, Mr. Charles poured water down the front of Plaintiff’s shirt. Plaintiff reported this situation to operations manager Debra Valdivia.
On or about August 23, 2024, Mr. Charles came up to Plaintiff while on duty at a property operated by the Housing Authority and again caressed Plaintiff’s cheek in a sexual manner similarly to the two prior sexual assaults.
Plaintiff again reported this situation to operations manager Debra Valdivia.
After the August 23, 2024 occurrence, Plaintiff began receiving less desirable assignments. She would be tasked to complete jobs by herself which typically were jobs assigned to two or more employees. Similarly situated male employees were not required to perform these same jobs alone.
On October 8, 2024, Plaintiff reported to the executive director that Mr. Charles was giving her more difficult assignments and treating her differently than her male co-workers. Mr. Moran, the executive director, reminded her that when she started working for the Housing Authority he warned her there may be issues and that he told her that “boys will be boys.”
Mr. Charles continued to treat Plaintiff differently than other male employees.
Mr. Charles failed to inform Plaintiff she was to be on-call, which resulted in Plaintiff missing a call to respond to a maintenance issue on October 29, 2024.
It became clear to Plaintiff that nothing was being done about Mr. Charles’ treatment of her and that Mr. Charles was retaliating against Plaintiff because she had reported his conduct to Ms. Valdivia.
On or about November 13, 2024, Plaintiff reported to executive director Matt Moran that she had experienced sexual harassment by Mr. Charles and that he was treating her differently than male employees.
By this point, Plaintiff had begun treatment with a physician for mental health issues she began suffering because of her treatment at work. Specifically, Plaintiff was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of Mr. Charles’ sexual assault and harassment at work.
Plaintiff again reported this situation to operations manager Debra Valdivia.
After the August 23, 2024 occurrence, Plaintiff began receiving less desirable assignments. She would be tasked to complete jobs by herself which typically were jobs assigned to two or more employees. Similarly situated male employees were not required to perform these same jobs alone.
On October 8, 2024, Plaintiff reported to the executive director that Mr. Charles was giving her more difficult assignments and treating her differently than her male co-workers. Mr. Moran, the executive director, reminded her that when she started working for the Housing Authority he warned her there may be issues and that he told her that “boys will be boys.”
Mr. Charles continued to treat Plaintiff differently than other male employees.
Mr. Charles failed to inform Plaintiff she was to be on-call, which resulted in Plaintiff missing a call to respond to a maintenance issue on October 29, 2024.
It became clear to Plaintiff that nothing was being done about Mr. Charles’ treatment of her and that Mr. Charles was retaliating against Plaintiff because she had reported his conduct to Ms. Valdivia.
On or about November 13, 2024, Plaintiff reported to executive director Matt Moran that she had experienced sexual harassment by Mr. Charles and that he was treating her differently than male employees.
By this point, Plaintiff had begun treatment with a physician for mental health issues she began suffering because of her treatment at work. Specifically, Plaintiff was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of Mr. Charles’ sexual assault and harassment at work.
Plaintiff requested from Mr. Moran a reasonable accommodation for her condition which included no direct, in-person contact with Mr. Charles and any communications from Mr. Charles to be in text message.
It was Plaintiff’s understanding this request would be put in place.
Subsequently, Mr. Charles attempted to call Plaintiff on multiple occasions and attempted to speak with her in-person.
On November 22, 2024, Plaintiff was placed on administrative leave with pay. On information and belief, Mr. Charles was allowed to continue working.
Miller-Price is represented by Nicolas William Allen, Springfield.
1 comment:
Joplin housing is horrible,
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