Real Life Story of Sexual Harassment

Michelle, receptionist-Miami, FL

Michelle was working for defendant, a man named Frank, who owned three related corporations specializing in film production. She had originally worked as an intern for him during college, but was retained as a full-time employee afterward. Frank repeatedly sexually harassed Michelle, fondling her and making crude sexual remarks and threats to her. At one point he told her that if she did not have sex with him, she would be fired. He had also sexually harassed other female employees in the past, creating what another employee described as a "flagrant, horrible atmosphere". She filed a claim with a county equal opportunity office, and was issued a right to sue letter by the EEOC, and also filed suit against Frank for state law claims of battery, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. She was awarded $58,284 in back pay and front pay for her sexual harassment claim, and compensatory damages of $250,000 and punitive damages of $1,055,001 for her claims under state law. She was also determined to be entitled to attorney's fees.

Stockett v. Tolin, 791 F. Supp. 1536 (S.D. Fla. 1992)