Four women have sued Bonita Springs Charter School in federal court claiming sexual harassment and retaliation at the hands of their administrator.The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the middle district of Florida in Fort Myers, said Ana Sanchez, Elsa Aguilera, Maria (also called Carmen) Soto and Otilia Hernandez were fired after they refused repeated sexual advances from former school administrator Jorge Castillo.Soto, 63, was also discriminated against because of her age, the suit claimed. Castillo is said to have told her no work was available, however, the school then hired younger female employees with less experience.All four women filed a charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which, in May, found evidence that violations had occurred and granted their right to sue…That harassment created an “intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment” with “tangible adverse employment action,” the suit said.The claim did not enumerate specific examples, but said the women faced unwelcome verbal comments, inappropriate touching, continued requests for sex or sexual favors.“Lee Charter Foundation, the governing body of the school that is located at 25380 Bernwood Drive, is also named as a defendant.”…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MOTHER SUES CHARTER SCHOOL. Orlando Sentinel (FL) April 08, 2005 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005-04-08/news/0504080163_1_bonita-springs-charter-school-teacher
BONITA SPRINGS -- After a little girl got sick in the bathroom of her kindergarten class, the teacher made her don rubber gloves and remove a clog from the toilet, according to a lawsuit filed by the girl's mother.Lori Januska sued Bonita Springs Charter School this week after she said her 5-year-old daughter, Heather, clogged the toilet Sept. 22 and her teacher made her remove it while the class watched.The suit said "a vulnerable 5-year-old was subjected to cruel, unusual and traumatic disciplinary actions which directly resulted in severe emotional distress, pain and suffering, and mental distress."The girl suffers from an incurable gastrointestinal condition.The suit, which seeks an unspecified amount in damages, claims the school staff was negligent in hiring an unqualified teacher.Principal Pamela Franco and school-district attorney Keith Martin would not comment on the suit.Mark Levinsen, senior vice president of administration and human resources for Charter Schools USA, investigated the original complaint and said the teacher was disciplined.
0 comments:
Post a Comment