CHARLESTON – A woman is suing Bob Evans Farms after she claims she was sexually harassed by a co-worker.
Luther Thornton was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Aranda Jarvis was employed with the defendant when Thornton became a cook at Bob Evans’ Elkview location, according to a complaint filed March 31 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Jarvis claims soon after Thornton became the cook, he began to engage in sexual harassment of the plaintiff, including groping her from being, grabbing her breasts and buttocks and making sexual comments about “things he would love to do to her.”
The sexual harassment was observed by managers of Bob Evans and the assistant managers were also aware of the complaints of the sexual harassment, according to the suit.
Jarvis claims the defendants committed unlawful discriminatory practices described by the West Virginia Human Rights Act by engaging in sexual harassment.
The defendants actions caused Jarvis physical harm, according to the suit.
Jarvis claims the defendants engaged in reprisal by harassing, degrading, embarrassing and causing physical harm and economic loss to the plaintiff.
As a result of the defendants’ unlawful discriminatory practice, Jarvis also suffered great humiliation, severe emotional distress and has been degraded and embarrassed in her status as a person, as a female and as a dedicated and highly capable employee of Bob Evans, according to the suit.
Jarvis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices; and G. Patrick Jacobs of Jacobs Law Offices.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 17-C-458