A woman who claims she was smacked on the head with her boss's
genitals has been awarded $90 million, the largest payout for a sexual
harassment lawsuit in the US.
Ashley Alford told a court her
manager at Aaron's, Richard Moore, snuck up behind her while she was
sitting on the floor in the store room and whacked her on the head with
his penis.
The St Louis woman said later that day Mr Moore threw
her to the ground, lifted up her shirt and masturbated over her while
holding her down.
Mr Moore was arrested and awaits trial on a related charge in St. Clair Country Circuit Court.
In
a suit against Aaron's, filed in 2008, Ms Alford said she phoned
employee harassment hotline months before Mr Moore allegedly attacked
her and the the company failed to act when she made the complaints.
In
a ruling this week, Aaron's — an Atlanta-based chain furniture store —
was ordered to pay $90 million compensation after a jury found the
company liable for negligent supervision, sexual harassment and
intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The payout is likely to be capped because of federal law, and will probably be closer to $38 million.
Aaron's bosses have always denied liability and are expected to lodge a formal appeal to the decision.
genitals has been awarded $90 million, the largest payout for a sexual
harassment lawsuit in the US.
Ashley Alford told a court her
manager at Aaron's, Richard Moore, snuck up behind her while she was
sitting on the floor in the store room and whacked her on the head with
his penis.
The St Louis woman said later that day Mr Moore threw
her to the ground, lifted up her shirt and masturbated over her while
holding her down.
Mr Moore was arrested and awaits trial on a related charge in St. Clair Country Circuit Court.
In
a suit against Aaron's, filed in 2008, Ms Alford said she phoned
employee harassment hotline months before Mr Moore allegedly attacked
her and the the company failed to act when she made the complaints.
In
a ruling this week, Aaron's — an Atlanta-based chain furniture store —
was ordered to pay $90 million compensation after a jury found the
company liable for negligent supervision, sexual harassment and
intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The payout is likely to be capped because of federal law, and will probably be closer to $38 million.
Aaron's bosses have always denied liability and are expected to lodge a formal appeal to the decision.
