Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Former PriceRite employees claim sexual harassment (Connecticut)
Waterbury Republican-American ^ | February 21, 2010 | Jim Moore

Posted on 02/21/2010 2:42:16 PM PST by Graybeard58

TORRINGTON — An attorney hired by four former employees of the PriceRite supermarket on Main Street who accuse Store Manager David Potter of a long list of lewd acts and sexual harassment said Saturday he expects more victims, including customers, will be identified.

The plaintiffs, three of whom filed suit in federal court in October, with a fourth joining the suit in January, each allege Potter made frequent unwelcome advances.

"Unsolicited by the plaintiff, Potter would display himself to the plaintiff rubbing and manipulating his groin and nipples and grabbing his penis asking if she wanted to touch it," the lawsuit states in identical complaints made by two women who allege Potter also took interest in female customers, following their progress with store surveillance cameras and commenting "by overt sexual language of things he would like to do to the customers of a sexual nature," the lawsuit states.

Potter was at work Saturday wearing a badge that identified him as "Store Manager," and declined to comment, referring questions to the store's human resources staff at the Wethersfield headquarters. A message left there Saturday was not returned. About six feet three inches tall with thinning white-blond hair combed back and a stocky build, Potter spoke calmly, standing between cashier stations.

Charlene DeAngelo of Torrington, Patricia Frasca of Canaan and Rebecca Eastman of Goshen each claim they were fired soon after complaining to Potter's superiors. Kai Fasset of Torrington, the fourth plaintiff, quit April 16, 2008, the suit states, the day after making an off-duty visit to the store.

"The plaintiff (Fasset) and her boyfriend arrived at the Torrington PriceRite store to shop. While in the store Potter greeted the pair congratulating the man on his success at gaining sexual intercourse with the plaintiff and further stating that the plaintiff must be an accomplished sexual partner for the man to still be in a relationship with her."

The grocery chain's New Jersey attorney, Dominick C. Capozzola, denied the allegations in a footnote to a December legal memorandum filed in support of a motion to dismiss portions of the case.

"PriceRite denies the material allegations in plaintiffs' complaint, and it expects to show at trial that plaintiffs Frasca and DeAngelo were terminated for legitimate, nonretaliatory reasons, including violations of company policies and dishonesty," Capozzola wrote. "Plaintiff Fassett resigned of her own accord after less than one year with the company."

Keven E. Creed, the Torrington attorney representing the four women, said a store customer has provided a corroborating statement, and investigators are still working to identify additional victims.

"We feel extremely confident in our ability to prevail," Creed said.

DeAngelo was hired in 1997, 10 years before Potter was transferred from PriceRite's Bridgeport store in the fall of 2007, the suit states. Creed said similar complaints had been lodged against Potter in Bridgeport before his transfer.

"Potter would routinely declare that he was interested in a quick sexual relationship with her (DeAngelo) and/or other employees," the suit states, adding that Potter "would routinely describe in detail his purported sexual exploits with women, other than his wife, bragging about his sexual prowess."


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 02/21/2010 2:42:16 PM PST by Graybeard58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Graybeard58
"Unsolicited by the plaintiff, Potter would display himself to the plaintiff rubbing and manipulating his groin and nipples and grabbing his penis asking if she wanted to touch it."

Heck, that's what I do with every woman I meet.

Every last one.

2 posted on 02/21/2010 3:05:05 PM PST by Lazamataz (ETL = GNCB!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

He just wanted to hit it one time.


3 posted on 02/21/2010 3:08:55 PM PST by goseminoles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: goseminoles

Just one time.


4 posted on 02/21/2010 3:18:38 PM PST by Lazamataz (ETL = GNCB!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz

Just one time :o)


5 posted on 02/21/2010 3:30:32 PM PST by goseminoles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: goseminoles

pictures please of the plaintiffs. I have a feeling they haven’t had any sausage and gravy for a long time


6 posted on 02/21/2010 3:41:51 PM PST by shadeaud ("If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten." -- George Carlin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: shadeaud

Franks and beans. Franks and beans.......


7 posted on 02/21/2010 3:43:48 PM PST by goseminoles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson