Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

A recent story out of Connecticut is both frustrating and terrifying for our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers because it goes to show the ignorance of people in power.

In 2008, a Muslim college student, hoping to get education and certification to be a chiropractor, instead was sexually harassed by a male student. When she reported it to teachers, they urged her not to say anything. The harasser then reported the woman to the FBI, who began a terrorism investigation.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles is a serious offense and it can be made even more devastating when officials who take these reports don't respond appropriately. Schools, businesses and governmental bodies must have sound sexual harassment policies as well as procedures in place to handle these types of situations.

A sexual harassment victim initially is frightened and feels violated and uneasy. When people who should be there to help make the situation worse, it only complicates the issue. When there are matters of religious discrimination and race discrimination as well, it can make for an explosive situation.

According to the news article, the African-American Muslim student enrolled in a university in Connecticut in 2008 just hoping to get an education. She said she was subjected to repeated sexual advances and "graphic offensive comments" by a male student.

Naturally, she went to several teachers to report the problem. Rather than help her, the teachers urged her not to say anything. She went to the university's president and dean, who allegedly told her "My hands are tied, what do you suggest I do?"

Upon hearing about the complaint, her harasser then went to the FBI, alleging that she was involved in terrorism. After learning about that, the university then expelled the woman. Two university security directors told her that someone had made allegations against her and that the person threatened to call the FBI and have her arrested.

Later, FBI agents found her and knocked on her apartment door, questioned her and left a business card, according to a lawsuit she has filed. The woman asked for special accommodations from the university, which said the sexual harassment claims had been dismissed and that she was being expelled.

The lawsuit alleges that university officials did nothing to investigate her claims of sexual harassment and then reacted poorly by expelling her based on false accusations. Because she regularly wears the hijab, she was an easy target based on her race and religion.

Imagine how victimized this young woman feels? Instead of trying to get a sound education, she probably believed she had no allies and that no one was willing to protect her rights.

Many sexual harassment victims in Los Angeles feel the same way. They are put in an uncomfortable position and the only way to ensure they are treated fairly is if proper policies and procedures are put in place and followed. A culture of sexual harassment can't exist in this day and age.

Continue reading "Muslim Student Reports Sexual Harassment, Is Expelled, Investigated" »

The former head of Hewlett Packard, based in Palo Alto, recently lost a court ruling in which he was forced to make public a letter that detailed allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles against him, Financial Times reports.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers know this type of behavior happens in many corporate settings, where bosses are paid six-figure salaries and are given carte blanche to run a company. These executives sometimes take this power to believe they can sexually harass co-workers and subordinates.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles is largely about power and trying to influence others' decisions. It may also be about sexual gratification in cases where sexual favors are requested or late-night rendezvous are arranged. In either scenario, it is unlawful and should be stopped.

In this case, according to the Financial Times, the former HP head, now president of Oracle, was trying to keep his relationship with a marketing consultant private. She accused him of inappropriate behavior and was attempting to make a letter about the situation public.

The eight-page letter was written by an attorney for the woman in 2010. A copy obtained by the newspaper claims that the man repeatedly tried to get the woman to engage in a romantic relationship during a two-year period while she consulted with HP. The letter states that from 2007 to 2009, on trips throughout the country and even overseas, the man would try to get her to go to dinner or stop by her hotel.

While the letter alleges sexual harassment conduct, an internal investigation found no substance to those allegations, the newspaper reports. The board did, however, look at the possibility that he was mishandling expense reports. He resigned from the company in 2010 with a severance package worth up to $40 million.

Sexual harassment can be as simple as attempting a relationship with a co-worker, or in some type of business setting, against the person's will. Even making sexually-themed jokes or sending sexually explicit e-mails can constitute sexual harassment and lead to a lawsuit.

These types of situations can spur hard feelings and an unease at work. Making co-workers or subordinates uncomfortable or asking that they perform sexual favors in order to get promoted or hired are violations of California and federal law in this area.

Most companies and businesses have policies set in place to avoid sexual harassment from happening. Still, though, this sort of thing does happen, especially in a corporate setting. The only way for this type of behavior to stop is if an employee who is violated puts an end to it. Allowing the behavior to continue in one case is going to lead to an environment where sexual harassment is not only allowed, but expected. That creates a cycle that is tough to break.

Continue reading "Allegations of Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles Made Against Former HP Head" »

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.

Continue reading "Building Inspector Faces Allegation of Sexual Harassment in Los Angeles" »

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that California taxpayers dished out $120,000 to a woman who accused a state senator of sexually harassing her.

Being the victim of sexual harassment in Los Angeles is a situation no person wants to find themselves getting into. It usually happens when a person in power attempts to skirt the law, believing they won't be stopped.

Our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers have seen sexual harassment cases where the aggressor was a public official, big business executive, Hollywood big-wig or otherwise rich or powerful person who said some things or took some actions that weren't appropriate. But rather than thinking about how awkward it would be for the victim, they continued on and created a bad situation worse.

In this case, the Los Angeles Times has learned through a public information request, Sen. Roderick Wright, a Democrat from Inglewood, was accused of sexual harassment of a legislative aide. Senate leaders approved a $120,000 payment behind closed doors in an agreement they agreed required "no publicity." The settlement was made to avoid future costs and a public dispute.

The woman's Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer said the actions include inappropriate behavior and comments over a period of time while the legislative aide worked for the senator. It resulted in her leaving the office. Given that there was a confidentiality clause as part of the settlement, the lawyer declined to provide more details.

The deal was signed in April 2010, but wasn't made public until recently because Senate leaders sealed the complaint and the settlement was agreed upon in secret and not as part of a public meeting.

The senator is facing six felony counts in a perjury and voting fraud case out of Los Angeles County and declined comment on the sexual harassment settlement. Senate leaders deemed the matter a "personnel matter" and declined to discuss it. The situation only came to light after the newspaper made a public records request.

Public records advocates disputed the secret settlement, saying that when taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for such allegations, they should know about it. But it is customary in settlements for many types of civil lawsuits to include confidentiality clauses. The aggressor typically wants the details of what happened to remain private in exchange for paying off the victim.

Only if the case goes to trial -- a gamble for both sides -- will details typically be made public in a sexual harassment case. It is an embarrassing situation for both sides and rarely does anyone want the facts to become public.

In this case, the public has a right to demand that if taxpayer money is being used in a Los Angeles sexual harassment case, it should be made public. But, in all likelihood, the settlement with confidentiality clause actually saved public money. Having lawyers attend years of hearings, going to trial and potentially losing could have cost much more in the long run.

Continue reading "California State Senator's Sexual Harassment Claims Settled" »