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Sexual Harassment and Termination Case Resolved

A confidential settlement was reached in May 2008 between Sandra Lechliter and Martins Distributing Company over her claims of sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Ms. Lechliter was hired on April 24, 2006 in a sales and marketing position with the employer.  Ms. Lechliter alleged that shortly after her employment began her immediate supervisor, Mark Hagley, began to sexually harass her.  The harassment was alleged to have included inappropriate verbal advances, crude sexual comments and physical touching. Ms. Lechliter complained repeatedly to management personnel regarding the inappropriate conduct but no action was taken to stop the sexual harassment.  On August 16, 2006, Ms. Lechliter filed a sexual harassment complaint in the Circuit Court of Berkeley County against Mark Hagley and Martins Distributing Company.  Following the filing of her sexual harassment complaint, Ms. Lechliter alleged that the employer began retaliating against her by changing her job duties, writing her up for false reasons, refusing to provide light duty to accommodate her physical restrictions during her pregnancy and eventually, terminating her employment. On July 19, 2007, the Court allowed Ms. Lechliter to amend her complaint to allege a retaliatory discharge in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.  Shortly before trial both Mark Hagley and Martins Distributing Company settled with Ms. Lechliter for a confidential amount subject to a nondisclosure agreement.   

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