MORGANTOWN – A Monongalia County woman says she was the victim of “severe and pervasive” sexual harassment at a Sabraton Dunkin’ Donuts until she was fired in retaliation for seeking legal counsel.
Aimee Feight filed her complaint in Monongalia Circuit Court against Doughnut Joe’s LLC doing business as Dunkin’ Donuts. Former store general manager Robert Garrison also is named as a defendant.
According to the complaint, Feight started working as a cashier at Dunkin’ in August 2019. She was 22 years old at the time. Shortly after she was hired, she says Garrison began subjecting her to “a campaign of sexual harassment.” The complaint describes Garrison as “an elderly male in or around his 50s.”
At first, she says the harassment was limited to flirtatious comments and acts of sexual grooming. But she says the conduct soon became more lewd, sexual and physical.
“Garrison asked Ms. Feight to send him pictures of her in a bikini and told her that he ‘wouldn’t mind f*cking her,’” the complaint states, adding that he routinely told her she was “sexy,” had a “nice ass” and that he liked her “hair” and “boobs.” He also asked her for vivid details of her sexual experiences.
He also subjected her to sexual and dominant touching such as grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her while his pelvis was pressed against her buttocks.
“Garrison was a serial harasser harassing many of his female subordinates and even patrons of the restaurant,” the complaint states. “Garrison often commented on the appearance(s) of many female patrons of the restaurant over the employees’ intercommunication headset device, calling them ‘sexy’ and describing in detail his sexual thoughts of them.
“Garrison openly showed employees of the restaurant, both male and female, sexually graphic content (pictures and videos) on his phone and/or Snapchat app. … Garrison told various employees of the restaurant that he would only hire ‘hot girls’ and undertook various efforts, including searching applicants’ Facebook profiles, prior to interviewing and hiring them.”
Feight says Garrison’s actions instilled fear in his victims and/or subordinates. She says he often would lash out and abuse employees, particularly female employees, physically and verbally.
When Garrison learned Feight sought legal counsel regarding his actions, she says he became irate. He called her while she was at work on March 10, 2020.
“How many times have I told you to shut up?” Garrison allegedly asked her. “You want to threaten me with a lawyer, you really want to play that game with me? You are done! I am done with you! Clock out now and go home! …
“I don’t care I am going to everyone who works here and I’m getting a written statement from them about you and things you have said and it will be on paper.”
Feight accuses the defendants of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act as well as retaliation for engaging in protected activity, intentional infliction of emotional distress, outrage and negligent retention.
She says she has suffered actual and non-pecuniary losses such as lost wages, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, anguish and decreased enjoyment of life.
She seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs, front pay in lieu of reinstatement and other relief.
In his answer, Garrison denies the claims and seeks to have the case dismissed.
He also says Feight was not fired and that she "talked openly about sex and volunteered details of her sex life to her co-workers while at work.".
He says he called Feight at work March 10 to address inappropriate conduct toward another employee.
"She was antagonizing the other employee and causing drama, and that she needed to go home to get away from the other employee and 'cool off,'" Garrison says, adding that the he told her to go home but that the directive was only temporary and intended to diffuse the situation.
Feight is being represented by Chirag B. Desai and Edmund L. Wagoner of Wagoner & Desai in Morgantown. Garrison is being represented by Erin J. Webb and Brandy D. Bell of Kay Casto & Chaney in Morgantown. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Cindy Scott.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number 20-C-232
