PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — A lawsuit has been filed in Floyd Circuit Court, accusing Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton of sexual harassment.
The lawsuit, filed by a former female employee of the Mountain Arts Center, accuses Stapleton of subjecting her to unwanted sexual pressure “both verbally and physically by engaging in severe, pervasive, inappropriate, and unwelcome sexual conduct.”
“The severe and pervasive conduct included, but not limited to, unwelcome physical touching, exposing himself, demanding sexual favors, engaging in sexual acts, and otherwise intimidating and creating a hostile work environment for [the plaintiff],” the lawsuit says. “The conduct of Defendant Stapleton occurred on the job premises, as well as during working hours, and was persistent, severe, pervasive, and unwelcome.”
The lawsuit goes on to allege that Stapleton told the woman “her job security and job benefits were conditioned on her submission to his sexual advances and requests for sexual favors. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant Stapleton’s unlawful conduct, [plaintiff] suffered a tangible job detriment.”
The woman alleges that she “was forced out and wrongfully terminated from her employment because of Defendants’ discrimination and unlawful employment practices,” that Stapleton made threats of physical and sexual violence against her, that he would lock himself in a room with her when he made advances, and that she “felt compelled to and did submit to” his demands. She also alleges after she found a new job, Stapleton continued to expose himself to her and would visit her at her new workplace. She also claims the city of Prestonsburg was made aware of the alleged harassment, but did nothing to stop it.
A lawsuit only represents one side of a conflict. Mountain Top News reached out to Stapleton for comment. Phone calls to his office and personal numbers went unanswered.
The lawsuit is asking for past, present and future mental anguish; past physical pain and suffering; past, present and future medical bills and medical expenses; lost wages; front pay; actual, consequential, incidental and foreseeable damages; punitive damages; and legal fees from both Stapleton and the city of Prestonsburg.
The Prestonsburg City Council is holding a special meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. The only action item on the agenda is “discussion of personnel.”
This is a developing story. Mountain Top News will continue to bring you updates, as they become available.
