LOGAN – A woman says she was a victim of sexual harassment and gender discrimination by a southern West Virginia security company.
Alexis Ransom filed her complaint in Logan Circuit Court against Cramer Security & Investigations Inc., which is based in Beckley. Cramer denies the allegations.
According to the complaint, Ransom inquired about a position at Cramer on May 11, 2023. Director of Human Resources Ronald Egnor told Ransom to go to the company website to fill out an application. She also says Egnor told her not to mention a previous criminal conviction she had on the application.
“Egnor advised he would inform Ransom’s to-be supervisor that she would be a ‘great’ employee,” the complaint states. “There were no issues about Ransom’s past convictions during her application process and entitlement employment with Cramer.”
In August 2023, Ransom says she reported sexual harassment in the form of text messages from a superior.
“Ransom was asked for nude photos of herself in exchange for more hours or a better schedule,” the complaint states. “She declined to provide nude pictures of herself. Ransom was asked by her direct manager about her OnlyFans account.”
Ransom says the company knew of previous sexual harassment allegations, including another lawsuit filed in 2023. And, the complaint says Ransom’s supervisor admitted during a June 2024 deposition to requesting nude photographs.
Within a few days of reporting the sexual harassment, Ransom was fired. Cramer said it was a background that was undisclosed.
“However, she did disclose her background, and it wasn’t an issue until she rejected the sexual advances and reported sexual harassment,” the complaint states. “Cramer did not take action to remedy a sexually suggestive hostile work environment despite knowledge thereof.”
Ransom accuses Cramer of gender discrimination in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act, hostile work environment, quid pro quo and retaliation.
She says she has suffered emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, the need to be medicated, mental anguish, stress, anxiety, sleepless nights, humiliation, aggravation, fear, annoyance, inconvenience and embarrassment. She seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs, front pay, back pay, lost wages and benefits, lost future earning capacity and other relief.
In its answer to the complaint, Cramer denies the allegations and seeks to have the case dismissed with prejudice.
A trial date has been tentatively scheduled for January 2026, according to court filings. But the case also has been referred for mediation.
Ransom is being represented by D. Adrian Hoosier II of Hooser Law Firm in Charleston. Cramer is being represented by Jared C. Underwood of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Joshua Butcher.
Logan Circuit Court case number 24-C-168