Woman says supervisor sexually abused her

BECKLEY – A Raleigh County woman is suing over claims she was sexually abused by her supervisor.

A.B. filed a lawsuit Aug. 20 in the Raleigh Circuit Court against Wind River Consulting L.C., Iron Eagle Resources LLC, doing business as Whisper River LLC, and Joseph C. Phillips, citing sexual harassment.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff became an employee of Wind River in September 2003 and came under the supervision of Phillips, who made unwanted physical advances and sexual demands upon the plaintiff, threatening to fire her if she did not.

A.B. became an employee of Iron Eagle in 2005, as well, where Phillips' inappropriate behavior continued, including non-consensual sex and public, derogatory comments about the plaintiff's family.

The complaint states that on Aug. 24, 2012, Phillips once again forced the plaintiff into a sexual act and the plaintiff told him the sexual abuse had to stop, resulting in her receiving a letter from the defendant companies informing her that her employment was terminated, effective immediately.

The defendants are accused of intentional infliction of emotional distress, violating privacy rights and wrongful termination and retaliatory discharge. Phillips is also accused of sexual harassment and sexual abuse.

A.B. is seeking damages, lost wages and benefits, interest and attorney's fees. She is being represented in the case by attorneys Robert H. Miller II and Shawn R. Romano of Romano and Associates PLLC in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge John A. Hutchison.

Raleigh County Circuit Court case number 14-C-828