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Playboy columnist sues for sexual harassment

Sarah Gilbert — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:50:00 EST

While Playboy (NYSE: PLA) executives have never been accused of being straight-laced, one might assume they'd be smart enough, oh, to restrain themselves from groping, "bombarding" with sexually-explicit emails, and subsequently firing a lawyer.

But in allegations that (if true) would surely prove the preconception that the porn industry objectifies women, Chicago divorce attorney Corri Fetman filed suit Monday alleging that Thomas Hagopian, an executive in the digital branch of the publishing empire, sexually harassed her, then canceled her column when she rebuffed him. She seeks $4.5 million in damages, including "gender violence."

Continue reading Playboy columnist sues for sexual harassment

Playboy columnist sues for sexual harassment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More harassment drama for American Apparel

Zac Bissonnette — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:12:00 EST

Filed under: Law, Scandals

Even as American Apparel (AMEX: APP) posts incredible sales numbers in an incredibly tough environment, the company can't seem to shake the scandals created by its eccentric CEO Dov Charney who was settled a sexual claim involving one of his female employees earlier this year.

The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that the company has agreed to pay the employee $1.3 million to settle the claim with one catch -- that she keep the settlement a secret "and instead participate in an arbitration proceeding, with a preordained outcome" so that Charney could publicly declare victory.

The woman refused to participate in the arbitration and the matter ended up in court. Last week, a three judge panel of California's Second Appellate District in Los Angeles said that the woman's alleged breach of the agreement should be reviewed by independent arbitrators.

However, the court added that it was concerned about the "potential illegality of the 'arbitration' clause ... with its goal of issuing a press release for the purpose of misleading journalists and the public."

With the appearance of efforts to mislead investors about the nature of the case, this fiasco moves beyond the realm of the hanky panky that has been part of Mr. Charney's behavior and his company since it went public. Now you have to wonder about integrity.

More harassment drama for American Apparel originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GE opening bell for 4-25-06: Sexual harassment at NBC's Maury Povich show?

Amey Stone — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 09:08:00 EST

Filed under: Before the Bell, Bad News, Law, Television, General Electric (GE)

General Electric was trading down in pre-market action this morning while the rest of the market was trading up. Of course, that could shift by the time the opening bell rings at 9:30 a.m. ET.

My guess is that higher oil prices are weighing on the stock.

However, there were allegations of sex scandal in a GE division reported last night. NBC talk show host Maury Povich and some of the show's producers are being sued for $100 million for sexual harassment. Spokespeople for the show and for NBC Universal denied the rather sordid allegations.

I doubt that's affecting GE's stock price, but it is more bad news for beleaguered NBC.

GE opening bell for 4-25-06: Sexual harassment at NBC's Maury Povich show? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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