Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

The Sierra Madre Police Department reports that a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of prowling in Sierra Madre. The arrest was made in connection with an incident where a woman reported a man had been looking in her window, according to Sierra Madre Patch.

The incident happened one morning late last month on the 400 block of Sierra Madre Boulevard. A man was reportedly peeping into the window of a female resident's home on the street. The female resident immediately called the Sierra Madre Police. As they arrived shortly after the call, they surveyed the area and located the suspect who was later identified by the victim. He was located in the driveway of an apartment complex nearby 15 minutes after policed received the call.

Our Los Angeles sex crimes attorneys would like you to know that it is critical to contact a skilled California defense attorney immediately if you're facing sex crime charges. We guide our clients through every step of the legal process, and are always available to discuss any questions or concerns they may have. Our sex crime attorneys personally investigate each case, question witnesses, review testimony, and challenge tough evidence. It is important you find an attorney who is dedicated to providing clients with viable options, useful resources, and compassionate legal care.

The alleged peeping tom was booked on suspicion of prowling and was held in the city jail on a $5,000 bail.

The Sierra Madre Police Department has been responding to and investigating 10 prowler complaints in that neighborhood. Even though the investigation is still underway, police are looking at the man they've detained in connection with these cases. While police believe they've got the alleged peeping tom, they're still investigating and asking the public for any more information or if they've witnessed a person looking in their window.

The fact that police found this man 15 minutes after they were called to the scene, may mean they have accomplished nothing more than arresting someone for standing in an apartment complex driveway.

Continue reading "Alleged Peeping Tom Detained by Police in Sierra Madre Sex Crime Case -- Yet Police Still Looking?" »

A recently released audit reports that the state agency did not investigate teachers who were accused of sexual harassment in Los Angeles in a timely manner. Such teacher were accused of kissing a student, sexual harassment or showing pornography to children, according to the Los Angeles Times. The state agency that did not investigate these accused teachers is in charge of revoking education credentials.

Nearly 13,000 cases, from the summer of 2009, were backlogged by the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The California state auditor located nearly three years' worth of these cases, concluding the commission didn't keep track of data and was often slow to looking into the allegations.

A Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney should be contacted immediately if you're facing sexual harassment charges. Case law from the Los Angeles Superior Court, the California Courts of Appeal and the California Supreme Court make arguing sexual harassment and the applicability of Sexual Harassment Laws a complex process.

The audit shows that changes must be made said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

"These conditions appear to have resulted in delayed processing of alleged misconduct and potentially allowed educators of questionable character to retain a credential," wrote Elaine M. Howle, the state auditor, in a letter to the lawmakers.

The commission is made up of more than 30 full-time staffers including six investigators and is overseen by an appointed board. The board voted to revoke the credentials of 306 teachers and administrators last year.

Auditors of the commission found that commission employees moved too slow and also noted that it took the commission more than two months before reviewing 11 of the nearly 30 cases that the auditors examined.

In one specific case that they audited, a teacher was accused of kissing a student back in 2007. The commission didn't contact the school district until 2009. In a separate incident, the commission learned a teacher was accused of showing a middle school student pornography in 2008, but didn't request police documents until two years later, in 2010. By the time this second incident was brought to light, the principal who initially reported the incident had retired and the student who allegedly saw the photographs could not recall the details.

One of the explanations from the commission for taking such time to investigate is that they're required to wait until local law enforcement and schools districts finish their investigations before they can proceed with theirs.

The audit suggested that the commission update their database and provide more thorough training to ensure that proper information is collected and is easy to retrieve. They're also urged to study their workload to determine if more employees are needed for effective function.

"We're taking the recommendations very seriously," said Marilyn Errett, a commission spokeswoman.

Since the audit, the commission has started entering arrest data electronically.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers understand the severity behind such allegations and urge you to contact an attorney before making a statement with officials. Often, defendants are likely to make incriminating statements in the absence of an experienced lawyer. You are urged not to settle for a quick plea bargain -- which will never eliminate the cloud of suspicion and could have consequences like sex-offender registration. Being forced to register as a sex offender could follow you for life.

The slipshod methods revealed by this audit, also call into question the quality of those investigations that were conducted -- yanking a teacher's credentials can have life-long consequences. Teachers need to stand up for their rights at the earliest stages of such investigations.

Continue reading "School Officials Fail to Record and Investigate Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Cases Accurately " »

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently seeking information pertaining to a man that has been accused of molesting a developmentally disabled child, according to the Los Angeles Times. The accused molester is a 29-year-old Wellspring employee who has been working in that same facility for more than three years. He has no prior criminal record and is now facing the devastating allegations of a sex crime in San Fernando Valley.

He specializes in working with children who have autism at Wellspring.

Our Los Angeles sex crime attorneys understand that allegations can be devastating to anyone, especially someone who works with and helps kids on a daily basis. We also understand that children have been known to come forth with false allegations for a number of reasons.

Police placed the young educator under arrest after an autistic child came forward and accused the man of molesting him. He is currently facing 11 counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and 3 counts of oral copulation of a person under the age of 14, according to the LAPD.

The accused man has been working with children for many years now, previously working with developmentally disabled children at the YMCA in La Cañada Flintridge and also as a special educations trainee at Van Nuys.

He is now in jail on a $1.4 million bail. Authorities believe the crimes happened between March of 2008 and March of 2011, according to Sherman Oaks Patch.

Defending against child molestation accusations requires knowledge of both child sexual abusers and of those who make false allegations. Careful planning, investigation and an aggressive approach is necessary for a successful defense. It is critical to immediately contact an attorney when facing such charges as these allegations can negatively affect every aspect of one's life. We understand that false accusations are made every day and it is our duty to help fight for the rights of our clients.

Continue reading "Wellspring Employee Faces Molestation Charges in San Fernando Valley" »

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to fork out $900,000 to settle a sexual harassment suit filed by one of their deputies. The deputy accused his supervisor of sexually harassing him and threatening him with violent acts, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Even after the county agreed to pay out the $900,000, the supervisor denies the allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles.

Our Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys urge you to report all forms of sexual harassment to your supervisor as soon as possible. You are also urged to contact an experienced attorney to ensure that the proper steps are being taken to protect your workplace rights.

"Sexual harassment is about using power in a way to hurt somebody," says Marcia McCormick, associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Law, who specializes in employment law and gender issues.

On our Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog, we recently discussed the various ways that sexual harassment can occur in the workplace. Male on male sexual harassment cases are on the rise in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the United States. According to Newsweek, same-sex harassment has only been recognized by the court system for a little more than 20 years now.

More than 15 percent of the nearly 13,000 sexual harassment incidents reported in 2009 came from males. This is the largest number of male-reported sexual harassment ever received by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

One of the allegations made by the deputy was that his supervisor requested that he "come into the bathroom for a rectal probe" and boasted he could get the deputy "so drunk" that the deputy would perform oral sex on him, according to the L.A. Times.

"While some people may think sexual harassment of male employees is a joke, the issue is real," says David Grinberg, spokesperson for the EEOC. "We are seeing more of it, and such conduct has serious legal consequences for employers." The EEOC reports that incidents including male on male sexual harassment claims are indeed on the rise.

Our sexual harassment attorneys have been representing clients in sexual harassment cases in Los Angeles County for years now and have a built a strong reputation for achieving justice for our clients. If you're experiencing a sexual harassment case in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, it is critical for you to contact an attorney to protect your rights, your dignity, and your financial well-being.

Continue reading "Nearly $1 million later -- Los Angeles Deputy Still Denies Allegations in Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Case" »

A 36-year-old accused of committing a sex crime is facing a pre-trial hearing next month. The twist? He married the alleged victim in the statutory rape case after being accused of luring her into a sexual relationship when she was 14 years old, according to MSNBC.

The photographer, who is known for work that has appeared on the covers of fitness and fashion magazines, reportedly married the young Laguna Hills woman earlier this year. The marriage supposedly happened just three months after the bride turned 18, according to The Los Angeles Times. The name of the woman is not being released because she is a possible victim of a California sex crime.

A Los Angeles sex crimes defense attorney should be contacted immediately after the accusations of a potential sex crime. Sex crimes, including sexual assault, child molestation or rape, are some of the most serious charges under the law. The anguish and embarrassment surrounding such charges too often prevents a defendant from mounting an aggressive defense. And the consequences of a conviction can last a lifetime.

"The bottom line is ... it's almost irrelevant that he married her, as she was under-age when they (allegedly) had sex," said Laurie Levenson, professor of law and director of the Center for Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

The case took a turn after the victim and the alleged sex offender married. The former fiance of the accused was also reportedly involved in the alleged sex crime. The victim's current wife, and prosecuting party in the case, has dropped all charges.

Still, prosecutors say they have enough evidence to proceed with the trial. The photographer, who refers to himself as the "King of Covers" pleaded not guilty. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the six felonies, including unlawful sexual intercourse and lewd acts on a child.

The case underscores the unusual challenge prosecutors face if alleged victims and perpetrators get married, report The LA Times. The victim will likely assert spousal privilege in an effort to avoid testifying, either voluntarily or at the demand of the prosecution.

The defendant is due in court for a pre-trial hearing in May, according to Mercury News.

Continue reading "Man Faces His Wife in Los Angeles Sex Crime Case" »

The USDA recently presented an offer to women and Hispanic farmers of $50,000 each as a result of sexual discrimination in Los Angeles and elsewhere. This claim process provides the compensation to each woman or Hispanic farmer that can prove that the USDA denied them of a loan or a loan service for discriminatory reasons between 1981 and 2000, according to Southwest Farm Press..

Los Angeles employment lawyers are dedicated to ensuring that employees are treated equally regardless of race or gender. If you feel you are being discriminated against in the workplace for any reason, it is important for you to contact an experienced attorney to discuss your rights.

"Over the next weeks and months we will be reaching out to leaders of Hispanic organizations and women's organizations and asking for their help to spread the word to those who may be eligible," said David Schaad, acting state executive director of the Farm Service Agency. "Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers can come forward and participate in the claims process by registering to receive a claims package."

A second tier of compensation is available for Hispanic or female workers who may also be eligible for funds to pay the taxes on their awards and for forgiveness of certain existing USDA loans. The USDA reports there are no filing fees or other costs to claimants to participate in this program. The USDA would like to remind workers that participation is voluntary and those individuals who choose not to participate are not restricted by the program from filing a complaint in court.

The most recent USDA announcement follows a settlement of separated litigation by the Obama administration's. The filing was organized by Native American farmers and ranchers and African American farmers. Those who were denied a Farm Loan or Loan Servicing by the USDA between 1981 and 1999 may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement.

Those who were a female or Hispanic farmer or rancher who believe that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because of race or gender may be eligible for compensation as a result of this recent settlement announced by the USDA.

"Under the resolution announced, USDA and Hispanic and women farmers will be able to move forward and focus on the future," said Tony West, assistant attorney general for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The administrative process being established will give Hispanic and women farmers who believe they suffered discrimination the chance to have their claims heard."

USDA is committed to resolving allegations of past discrimination and ushering in "a new era of civil rights" for the Department, according to The Fort Scott Tribune.

Continue reading " USDA offers $50,000 to Those Who Experienced Sexual Discrimination in Los Angeles and Elsewhere" »

Investigators said they found a high school faculty member with a 15-year-old boy he met on Craigslist for sex. Officials found the orchestra instructor in his car with the boy around 11:52 p.m. after receiving reports to a suspicious vehicle parked in a field in the 4800 block of Clark Road.

The faculty member was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor --the boy was later returned to his parents. The man was being held in jail on a $100,000 bond. After obtaining a search warrant for the house of the alleged sex offender, authorities seized a computer, an iPad and a cell phone that will all be examined for possible evidence.

Our Pasadena sex crime attorneys understand the severity behind such allegations and urge you to contact an attorney before making a statement with officials. Often, defendants are likely to make incriminating statements in the absence of an experienced lawyer. You are urged not to settle for a quick plea bargain -- which will never eliminate the cloud of suspicion and could have consequences like sex-offender registration. Being forced to register as a sex offender could follow you for life.

The instructor resigned the day after his arrest and Pasadena ISD officials say letters and phone calls have gone out to parents of students involved in the orchestra program at the school. The instructor may face additional penalties and charges depending on the examination result of the seized property.

If convicted, the school faculty member could face a fine of up to $10,000 and 2 to 20 years in prison.

Defending against child molestation requires knowledge of both child sexual abusers and of those who make false allegations. Careful investigation, planning and an aggressive approach is necessary for a successful defense.

Continue reading "High School Faculty Member Faces Charges of Child Molestation in Pasadena" »

A Bakersfield property manager denies multiple claims of sexual harassment from his tenants earlier this month. A lawsuit was field in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, accusing the manager of sexual harassment, "pervasive" harassment and discrimination since at least 2002.

Our Pasadena sexual harassment lawyers would like to remind you that sexual harassment can take place virtually anywhere and includes any form of unwelcome sexual acts or banter, including unwanted sexual advances. It can also be used as a form of bribery or quid pro quo by a supervisor. Those facing accusations of sexual harassment need to contact an experienced attorney to protect their rights.

The suit alleges the landlord exposed his genitals to two of his female tenants, made unwelcome sexual comments, touched the women without consent and granted or denied housing benefits based on sex. The suit also accuses the landlord of taking discriminatory action against women who refused advances throughout his more than 30 years of operation, according to the SFGate. The suit seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, court order barring future discrimination and a civil penalty, according to The Cypress Times.

"It's not one or two (incidents)," said Benjamin Wagner, U.S. Attorney for the district. "We're talking a number of victims over a lengthy period of time."

The landlord denies all allegations, calling them "malarkey" and questioning the motives of the alleged victims. Some current tenants interviewed by KJET 17 said they had never been harassed by the accused landlord.

Our sexual harassment attorneys have been representing clients in sexual harassment cases in Los Angeles County for years and have a strong reputation for achieving justice for our clients. If you're experiencing a sexual harassment case in Los Angeles or the surrounding area, you are urged to contact an attorney.

Continue reading "California Landlord Accused of a Long Sexual Harassment History" »

A 24-year-old Arizona resident was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 13-year-old boy over a five-month period. He was sent to the Los Angeles County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bail. He is currently facing charges of child molestation in Los Angeles as the acts were reportedly committed before he returned to his parent's house in Gilbert, according to the Glendora Patch.

Our Pasadena sex crime attorneys would like you to understand how serious these types of cases are as the only proof may be statements from the defendant or victim. If you find yourself in a similar situation, is is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney before speaking with police.

Later, police reportedly located several images of child pornography on the computers owned by the 24-year-old man. The suspect could be facing even more charges. His Los Angeles sex crime arraignment hearing will be held at the Pomona Superior Court for April 21st.

After the initial allegations, police wrote up a search warrant for the suspect's residence in Gilbert. It was incriminating statements the defendant allegedly made to authorities that caused them to seize his computer and, later, find child pornography. An experienced attorney will work to challenge the admissibility of the alleged statements, which could also prevent evidence seized during execution of the search warrant from being used in court.

Sexual charges, of any nature, must be aggressively defended. It is important not to be intimidated by law enforcement, which may offer a plea deal in exchange for a quick guilty plea. Plea agreements usually involve lifetime registration as a sex offender. Registration will forever limit your ability to find work, housing or to support your family.

Unfortunately, a molestation allegation is enough to cause extreme embarrassment to the defendant and law enforcement will often use this to get a statement. We recommend that a defendant make absolutely no statements until consulting with an experienced attorney. While it's unlikely you will talk your way out of charges, it is extremely possible you could say or do something that could conflict with a future defense strategy. Remember, you have the right to remain silent.

Continue reading "Incriminating Statements Leads to Child Porn in Los Angeles" »

A federal sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed on the behalf of a teenage vegetable packer in Santa Maria results in the California farm company paying $27,500 in a settlement, according to Mercury News.

The Santa Maria female Hispanic worker was allegedly groped by a supervisor. Management is also being accused of making lewd gestures to the worker and firing the young worker when she complained.

Our Pasadena sexual harassment attorneys urge you to report any and all uncomfortable behavior to your employer or company headquarters and follow up to make sure they take the proper steps to correct the situation. Reportable behavior can include offensive remarks about a person's sex in addition to comments or acts of a sexual nature, reports The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity C omission (EEOC).

As reported by the commission's Los Angeles office, the company will face athree-year consent decree, which for the establishment to pay $20,000 to the teenage employee and $7,500 to Proteus Inc., a non-profit worker procurement and training firm.

There are a few things you can do to help yourself get educated about how to handle sexual harassment in the workplace. First, it wouldn't hurt to get familiar Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This Act clearly outlines your rights to report sexual harassment at any time. If you are in fact experiencing any type of workplace sexual harassment, make sure to document the occurrences, including date, time and details of the incident for potential future evidence.

Lastly, it is important for you to be familiar with the policy of your workplace provided by your employer. Know who to report to and how to report an incident. If your harasser is your immediate supervisor, go to the management position directly above them and make sure to follow up.

Continue reading "Farmworker Reaches Settlement in Santa Maria Workplace Sexual Harassment Case" »

Sexual harassment claims have definitely broken through the stereotypical notion in past years. The number of nontraditional cases are on the rise, causing an increased rate of sexual harassment cases in Los Angeles.

Our Beverly Hills sexual harassment attorneys urge you to report all uncomfortable behavior to your employer and make sure they take the proper actions to resolve the situation. Reportable behavior does not necessarily have to be of a sexual nature, it can include offensive remarks about a person's sex as well, reports The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity C omission (EEOC).

The EEOC notes that sexual harassment can occur under various circumstances, including but not limited to:

-The harasser can be anyone in the workplace; a supervisor, a co-worker, and agent of the employer, a non-employee.

-In order to be considered an act of sexual harassment, the harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

-The harasser can be male or female and can harasser a member from either sex.

-The harasser does not have to be the person who is being harassed, but it can be anyone that is offended by inappropriate conduct.

The EEOC adds that sexual harassment includes not only unwelcome sexual advances, but requests for sexual favors and other physical or verbal harassment of a sexual nature.

In the 2008 fiscal year, the EEOC heard nearly 14,000 reports of sexual harassment, recovering nearly $50 million in benefits for victims and other affected individuals.

A telephone survey reported by Sexual Harassment Support reveals that, of 783 workers polled:

-7 percent of male employees reported being harassed at work.

-62 percent of victims took no action.

-41 percent of men reported to have been harassed by another man.

-31 percent of female employees had reported to have been harassed at their workplace.

-100 percent of the women said the harasser was a man.

-59 percent of men reported to have been harassed by a woman.

Here is a fact sheet for employees for preventing sexual harassment.

Continue reading "Know your Rights when it comes to Los Angeles Sexual Harassment Cases" »

Wal-Mart is currently facing allegations of gender discriminating at stores across the Unites States. The company stands against the largest job discrimination suit in U.S. history, involving nearly 1.6 million current and former Wal-Mart employees, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The female employees claim they were overlooked in pay and promotional opportunities based on their sex. NBC News reported this week that one woman was told to dust off her makeup kit and doll herself up if she expected a promotion. While there are distinct differences between discrimination based on gender and sexual harassment, there are also often correlations between the two.

Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyers understand the importance of this case and the impact it could have on employees and employers for years to come. While a win for Wal-Mart could be a detrimental blow to bias suits, a win for the employees could prove as a landmark for equality in the workplace.

In many cases, a discrimination lawsuit in Los Angeles, Pasadena or elsewhere in California may be filed as a result of working conditions pertaining to a single store or a single manager. In this case, the suit applies to Wal-Mart as a corporation, collecting allegations from stores across the United States.

"To prove these cases, you rely on statistics. And now all the records are electronic. It's all there at a keystroke," said Brad Seligman, a sexual harassment lawyer.

A statistician hired by the prosecuting lawyer found that women make up nearly two-thirds of Wal-Mart's employees but less that 14 percent hold management positions. The statistician also found that in nearly every job category, women made less than their male coworkers, even though, on average, the women held more seniority in the positions, reports The Times.

Overseeing the case, the high court reportedly has three women on the bench. This is the first time in history the court has ever seen this number for a major sex discrimination case. Included on the bench is Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who begun her career as a women's rights advocate.

Wal-Mart lawyers have pointed out that the suit is currently representing more women than the combined total of active-duty currently in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard.

Continue reading "Wal-Mart Gender Discrimination Lawsuit could have Lasting Impact on Los Angeles Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Lawsuits" »

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a registered sex offender is charged with attempting to kidnap a woman from a MTA station in South L.A.

The 46-year-old defendant faces a third strike under California's three strikes law, which could result in a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He is charged with kidnapping, making criminal threats and false imprisonment.

Our Pasadena sex crimes defense attorneys know nothing more about this case than what we have read in the newspaper. But several observations can be made. First, the defendant, who remains innocent until proven guilty, is referred to as a "registered sex offender." In fact, he will be referred to as a sex offender in all future dealings with law enforcement. It is a stigma associated with sex crimes in Pasadena and the surrounding area that is not associated with other crimes.

Secondly, he is facing a third strike -- California's three strikes law means it is critical to contest any felony charge. Violating the three-strikes law can mean a sentence of life in prison for relatively minor offenses. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this defendant is facing very, very serious criminal charges. Whether those same charges would have been levied had police not been dealing with a "registered sex offender" is open for debate. We would certainly argue law enforcement may have been more lenient, not to mention more prone to listening to his side of the story.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office reports responding to a disturbance at the Avalon Boulevard station in Green Meadows on Thursday afternoon. Commuters had dragged a man to the ground amid reports that he had grabbed an unidentified woman from behind and attempted to drag her away.

Despite reports of being wrestled to the ground by as many as 10 commuters, the defendant freed himself and jumped aboard a train. He was arrested when the train stopped at the Imperial station. The woman fled the scene but contacted investigators after seeing the story on the late local news.

This case has all kinds of issues, not the least of which is the reliance upon eyewitness identification and the mob mentality. This guy wrestled himself free in a fight with 10 commuters. Really? Often in such cases no one story is correct. Indeed, the news even incorrectly reported that the alleged victim was a teenage girl.

In such cases, the defendant will be best served by consulting with an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles who understands how to defend clients against sex charges. The only thing that matters is what can be proven in a court of law.

Continue reading "Sex Offender Blamed for Attempted Kidnapping at South L.A. MTA Station" »

A 30-year-old security guard nicknamed "Silky" is facing sex crimes in Pasadena after being accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student at Marshall Fundamental School, according to the Pasadena Star-News.

Pasadena sex offense defense attorneys are called to deal with an increasing number of cases involving school employees and students. It is important to remember that each defendant is innocent until proven guilty and is deserving of his day in court. Too often, there is a rush to judgment. Job loss is common, even before charges are proven or disproven in court. An aggressive defense attorney should always be called to handle such cases.

Typically, the mere allegation is enough to cause a defendant extreme embarrassment. Law enforcement will often use this to get a statement. We recommend a defendant make no statements until consulting with an experienced attorney. It is unlikely you will talk your way out of charges, but it is entirely possible you will say or do something that will conflict with future defense strategy. In many cases, these types of charges will come down to the testimony of the defendant and the alleged victim. You have the right to remain silent.

Exercise it.

The Star-News reports the 30-year-old guard faces one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object, one count of contact with a minor for sexual purposes and one count of contact with a minor for lewd conduct. Authorities say the guard sent text messages to a 16-year-old student on March 3 and arranged to meet her outside of school. He allegedly picked her up in a car and took her to a secluded area. He is in Los Angeles County's Twin Towers Jail on $100,000 bail and has been placed on administrative leave.

When confronted by school district officials, both the defendant and the victim denied that any sexual contact occurred.

The school dealt with 4 sex scandals in as many years from 1998-2002. It's unclear what evidence led to the criminal charges in this case but the embarrassment of past scandals certainly puts a defendant in danger of being punished before authorities have all the facts.

Continue reading "Pasadena School Employee facing Sex Charges involving Student" »

Sexual harassment most commonly occurs as male-on-female interaction, but Fox Business reports that female-on-male harassment is on the rise. It is just as important for employers to understand their rights and obligations as it is for the employees to know the proper procedures when confronting sexual harassment in Pasadena or elsewhere.

It's estimated that six out of ten investigated sexual harassment incidents take place for no reasonable cause. According to the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, nearly 13,000 sexual harassment cases were filed and resolved in 2010.

Pasadena sexual harassment attorneys recognize the severity and risks of reporting violations and emphasize the importance of speaking with someone to seek justice.

Employees may be reluctant to come forward after experiencing an act of sexual harassment in Pasadena in the work place, but awareness and knowledge is encouraged by both employees and employers.

Sexual harassment statistics gathered from 782 telephone surveys conducted by Sexual Harassment Support found:

-60 percent of targets take no action when victimized by sexual harassment.

-31 percent of women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

-62 percent of the targets took no action.

-59 percent of men reported to have been harassed by a woman.

-41 percent of men reported to have been harassed by another man.

-100 percent of women reported their harasser was a man.

Fox Business offers these tips for employers dealing with sexual harassment complaints:

-Discuss with your employees the proper procedure to take when presented with sexual harassment. Get the procedure on paper. Distribute it to employees.

-Make sure to address every complaint. Ignoring complaints can not only cause legal and financial trouble, but can also cause office resentment, low productivity and low morale.

-Be sure to address all kinds of harassment: hostile work environment, quid pro quo harassment, sexual harassment.

"The issue of sexual harassment is emotionally loaded because it is so personal and intense, involving both sex and power," says B.J. Gallagher, Los Angeles management consultant specializing in workforce diversity.

Continue reading "New Wave of Workplace Behavior Causes Increased Risk of Pasadina Sexual Harassment" »