Worker Files $500,000 Claim against UW, Alleging Sexual Harassment
A University of Washington employee has filed a $500,000 lawsuit against a coworker citing sexual harassment charges that spanned two states. Emily Carleton claims that for seven long weeks, her boss, Paul F. Brown, sexually harassed her at work and by taking her to romantic dinners and by driving her home on a daily basis. She also includes in the lawsuit unwanted touching by Brown, sexual advances, Valentine’s Day cards, late-night emails and outbursts of anger. One night, Brown wined and dined Carleton at an elegant restaurant and offered her the opportunity of managing a massive campus housing project while also declaring his love for her.
After a little while the case shifts to Florida, where the two attended a housing conference together, at the request of Brown. In the lawsuit, Carleton claims that Brown repeatedly touched her thigh, asked for early morning breakfasts, repeatedly placed his arm around Carleton in public and made requests for countless walks. During the investigation period, Brown did acknowledge that there was some unwanted touching involved during the trip to Florida but did not recall touching Carleton’s thigh. Things got worse when the two returned to Seattle when Brown requested Carleton take a trip with him to San Francisco. She refused; he became angered, and threw a CD at her in the workplace and began yelling at her. The case has since been closed by UW since Carleton filed a tort claim. For any individuals that feel they are being sexually harassed at work, contact the law offices of Tobin and Reyes today for expert legal counsel.
