Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

A building inspector is now facing allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles after he allegedly asked a woman for a photo text message of her breasts, the San Fernando Valley Sun reports.

The building inspector, who was working as an unlicensed contractor, is accused of offering a woman a discount on work he was doing for her if she would send him a text message with a picture of her breasts. According to the news report, the 49-year-old upped the discount from $1,000 to $2,000 after she declined.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers believe this is a prime example of how sexual harassment can happen in public, outside of a corporate setting. Many sexual harassment cases are based on inappropriate behavior by a co-worker or a supervisor in an office.

But this case shows sexual harassment can happen anywhere, and those who are accused of committing a violation can be held accountable. Whether at work, in a public setting, at another business, in school or elsewhere, sexual harassment cannot be tolerated.

According to the news report, this incident has also lead to criminal charges against the building inspector. He now i facing five charges, including attempted grand theft, operating without a license and grand theft - all misdemeanors.

The news report states the woman had already paid $5,500 to the man because she was at odds with building inspectors over work done at a day care center she runs. The man was suspended for 20 days for allegedly violating the city's Housing Department's policy and using his position for gain. But a panel found in his favor, saying his actions didn't rise to the level of sexual harassment, allowing him to keep his $104,000 annual salary job.

Court documents state the woman initiated the sexual talk with him, sending him photos that were sexual in nature, while contradictory information states he sent her sexual photos. The man allegedly said during an investigation that the woman was upset he wasn't interested in her.

The news story states the woman first turned to the inspector in 2009 because their children go to school together. This was after inspectors said she illegally turned a garage into a play area for her day care business. The inspector asked another unlicensed worker to do the work. That man told investigators that he told the defendant certain work didn't need to be done, but the defendant insisted, saying it would allow them to get more money out of the woman.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers don't know how city officials could not deem this a sexual harassment case. If a person starts sending sexually-charged photos to another person without them asking for them, it's sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is simply being put in an uncomfortable position based on someone else making sexual comments or carrying on sexually-themed conversations that aren't warranted. This can happen in a variety of ways and when it crosses a line, it's harassment.