Legal Assistants Sue Quadriplegic Ex-Boss, Claim Harassment Over Duties Related to His Disability
Four former employees have sued a California lawyer for alleged sex discrimination, contending that the lawyer, who has a disability practice and is himself quadriplegic, created a hostile work environment in part due to his requirement that they perform job duties related to his disability.
Scott Johnson operates Disabled Access out of his home in Carmichael. The plaintiffs, who say all were hired as legal assistants and worked for him from one to five years, contend in their suit that they were “forced to go through personal care training” that involved undressing Johnson and helping him bathe, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Plaintiffs Jenna Doeuk, Esra Jones, Monthica Kem and Micaela Lucas also point to claimed issues concerning cameras they say were placed in a restroom and aimed at one worker’s breasts. Among other allegations, they say they were uncomfortable, too, with business practices Johnson used in filing disability access cases against small businesses, such as paying students to sign declarations.
The newspaper did not receive a response to calls seeking comment from Johnson.
Filed in August in Sacramento Superior Court, the ex-employees’ lawsuit asserts hostile environment, sexual harassment and wrongful termination claims. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees.
