BECKLEY – A Raleigh County man has filed another lawsuit against a funeral home, claiming he was mistreated when he worked there.
Brian M. Snuffer filed his second lawsuit against Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Homes Inc. and brothers David Quesenberry and Michael Quesenberry, who are officers of R&Q, on July 30 in Raleigh Circuit Court.
Snuffer claims he was subjected to a sexually hostile work environment at the funeral home.
“Plaintiff was told by David Quesenberry that he looked like David’s first male lover who was 16 years old,” the complaint states. “David Quesenberry grabbed plaintiff’s buttocks in a sexual manner to gratify the sexual desires … on Feb. 14, 2015. A fellow employee … was witness to this event.
“David Quesenberry would stay in the residence area of the funeral home on South Kanawha Street. He would routinely enter the business section of the home nude, or scantily dressed and ask the plaintiff if he thought David had a good body, or he would boast that he did.”
Snuffer says Michael Quesenberry was verbally hostile, “cussing him, tantamount to an assault.” When Snuffer complained about David Quesenberry to his brother, Michael allegedly said, “That’s just how David is.”
Snuffer complained to both Quesenberry brothers as well as R&Q Vice President William Bowles, but he says nothing was done. He resigned April 14.
Before he resigned, Snuffer’s wife Melanie died of cancer on March 30. When she was ill, R&Q paid Snuffer for his time off from work. Following his resignation, Snuffer says the funeral home deducted that time from his final wages without notice. That total was $336.
He says the actions of the defendants constitute sexual harassment and unlawful gender discrimination under the West Virginia Human Right Act. He also says their actions were outrageous, constitute assault and constitute unlawful reprisal.
Snuffer seeks compensatory damages for the actions of the defendants for his annoyance, aggravation and emotional distress. He also seeks lost wages, court costs, attorney fees and other relief. He also seeks punitive damages.
Snuffer is being represented by Anthony M. Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore PLLC. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge John A. Hutchison.
Snuffer’s original lawsuit, which made the same arguments, was filed in May by Salvatore. It was dismissed with prejudice on June 23.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number: 15-C-734
