Quantcast

WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Woman sues Justice, Greenbrier over alleged sexual assault at resort

Jimjusticewv

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – A Greenbrier County woman has filed a lawsuit against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice and The Greenbrier after she says she was brutally beaten and sexually assaulted at the resort.

Penny Curtis filed her lawsuit last month in Greenbrier Circuit Court. The Greenbrier Hotel Corporation and Justice, individually and as owner of the resort, are the named defendants.

In her three-page pro se complaint, Curtis says she was an independent contractor working at The Greenbrier on Sept. 6, 2014, when she was “brutally beaten and sexually assaulted in a hotel room by a guest.”

She says the defendants were negligent in the selection, hiring, training and supervision of the employees of The Greenbrier. She also says employees and security failed to assist and protect her.

Also, Curtis says she was wrongfully terminated from her contract work at The Greenbrier “as a result of her beating by one of the guests.”

In the complaint, Curtis says she has suffered and continues to suffer from severe and permanent emotional distress, embarrassment, past and future medical expenses and loss of earning capacity.

She seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

In Facebook posts from last June, Curtis goes into more detail about the incident.

“It has been 292 days,” she wrote in the June 26, 2015, post about the alleged incident. “I am tired of being quiet. …

“I was the DJ assaulted at The Greenbrier hotel. … I suffered a broken nose, shattered eye socket, swollen face and throat and various bruising. Because apparently no doesn’t mean no.”

“I was fired from The Greenbrier resort before I ever made it to the emergency room. By voice mail and text. Seriously.

“My feet were in the stirrups and I was in the middle of being swapped for a rape kit when I heard the message (and you cannot make this stupidity up).”

She then transcribes the voicemail.

“Penny, I am sure you’re still asleep. This is Jeff Bryant. Your services are no longer needed at The Greenbrier. Just so you know, I sent you a text and … do not report to work at JJ’s Sports Bar tonight. You can come get your equipment after 2 p.m.”

She goes on to talk about Justice, the millionaire who owns the resort who is the Democratic nominee for governor.

“Shame on you, Jim,” Curtis wrote in the Facebook post. “I was friends with your wife Cathy and your daughter Jill. Just shame on you people. Just shame on you.”

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Robert E. Richardson.

Mike Miller, a retired State Trooper who heads security for The Greenbrier, said the resort doesn't comment on domestic issues that take place in the room of guests.

Justice's campaign did not return messages seeking comment.

Greenbrier Circuit Court case number: 16-C-159

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

More News