Two Logan women claim doctor sexually harassed them

CHARLESTON - Two Logan County women have filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against a doctor they worked for, claiming he inappropriately touched them and made sexually offensive comments and gestures toward them.

Tiffany Compton and Shalee R. Meade filed a suit Dec. 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Fernando Luis Gonzalez-Ramos, M.D.

Gonzalez is a physician from Charleston, who has a medical practice in Logan County.

Compton was hired as a medical assistant in August 2007. Earlier in the year, Gonzalez hired Meade as a licensed practical nurse.

"During the entire period the plaintiffs worked at Dr. Gonzalez's medical office, Dr. Gonzalez continuously made unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate remarks and sexual innuendos to the plaintiffs because of their gender," the suit says.

The suit specifically states that Gonzalez touched their breasts and buttocks and made comments about the size of their breasts. He also forced Compton to sit on his lap and told her it caused him to become sexually aroused.

When Compton turned 20, Gonzalez said he wanted to purchase her a black bra and asked what size she wore. According to the suit, he also displayed pornographic videos on his computer in the presence of both plaintiffs.

On Oct. 9, 2007, in the presence of Compton, Gonzalez asked Meade to pick up several books lying on the floor. After picking up the books, Gonzalez informed Meade that he had sex with a pharmaceutical representative the night before and the books might have bodily fluid on them.

After Meade and Compton finished their shifts on the day they left and did not return to work for Gonzalez. In the five-count suit, Compton and Meade claim they suffered sexual harassment from Gonzalez and experienced great emotional distress.

Meade and Compton claim they suffered horror, grief, shame, humiliation, embarrassment, anger, chagrin, disappointment, worry and nausea to a degree that no reasonable person should be expected to endure.

Therefore, they seek punitive damages for their injuries.

Attorney Brian L. Ooten is representing Compton and Meade. The case has been assigned to Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-2620