Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw woman has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against a local social club and its general manager.
In a lawsuit filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court Thursday, Karen McClellan, Warsaw, alleges Bud Darr sexually battered and harassed her and created a hostile work environment while she was employed at American Legion Post 258, Pierceton.
McClellan alleges that on more than one occasion while she was a cook at American Legion Post 258, "Darr hit and slapped (her) on the buttocks with a large kitchen spatula, and also with a rolled-up apron, using it as a whip."
The lawsuit claims the "unconsented, unwelcomed battery was reported by Ms. McClellan to the American Legion Commander" and it was "accompanied by grievous verbal harassment."
In the lawsuit, McClellan claims Darr "repeatedly came into the kitchen area where (she) cooked and called her sexually insulting names, cursed at her, criticized the food that she prepared despite following his instructions to the letter, told inappropriate, sexually explicit jokes, and would approach her, inches from her face and reprimand her loudly, cursing, while fearing being hit or struck by Bud Darr, struggled to comply so as not to lose her job."
A specific example of Darr's alleged behavior also was contained in the lawsuit. "In the late summer of 2005, Bud Darr told Ms. McClellan to report to his office on the second floor of the American Legion building, where, with no warning and against her will, he caused her to view his 'favorite Web site'" featuring pornography.
The suit further claims McClellan was embarrassed and frightened because Darr made comments about the Web site and she was alone in the office with him.
McClellan seeks a jury trial and is requesting compensation for damages, punitive damages, costs of the lawsuit and other appropriate relief.
