Former employee says Bob Evans co-worker sexually harassed her

HUNTINGTON - A former employee is suing Bob Evans Farms LLC after she claims she was sexually harassed and sexually exploited by a co-worker.

Charles Pennington, Christopher Powell and John Doe were also named as defendants in the suit.

Samantha Meadows was employed at Bob Evans and claims she was sexually harassed and sexually exploited by Pennington on store premises, according to a complaint filed Aug. 16 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Meadows claims on multiple occasions, Pennington made sexually exploitive comments toward her of an outrageous and grossly indecent nature.

Pennington, on multiple occasions, imposed his body against Meadows' body in an obscene manner "in an attempt to satisfy his prurient interests and lascivious desires," according to the suit.

Meadows claims Pennington utilized his position of authority over her attempting to coerce sexual favors from her.

The defendants negligently breached their duty to exercise due care in its hiring of Pennington, negligently retained Pennington, negligently failed to train him, negligently supervised him and negligently failed to protect Meadows from a violation of her statutory and protections in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.

Meadows claims the defendants retaliated against her for making complaints against Pennington.

The defendants' actions caused Meadows anxiety; humiliation; annoyance and inconvenience; emotional distress; pain and suffering; mental anguish; loss of ability to enjoy life; medical expenses; and other damages, according to the suit.

Meadows is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel and Matthew J. Woelfel of Woelfel & Woelfel LLP.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul T. Farrell.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-580