EEOC Sues Restaurant Over Alleged Harassment

Thursday, September 20th 2007, 6:08 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a federal lawsuit against a Grady County restaurant, accusing the owner of sexually harassing a waitress and then firing her when she complained.

The EEOC filed the suit Wednesday against Ken's Steaks and Ribs in Amber on behalf of a former waitress. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City.

In the suit, EEOC attorneys allege the waitress was ``subjected to lewd and unwelcome conduct'' by the restaurant's owner, Ken Morrison.

Among the allegations in the suit are that Morrison asked the woman to show her breasts to customers waiting in line at the restaurant and that when she objected, she was suspended and then fired.

``Employers would be wise to recognize the law forbids sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliation against those who oppose it,'' said James Neely, director of the EEOC's St. Louis District Office, which oversees litigation in Oklahoma.

Reached at his home Thursday afternoon, Morrison said he hadn't seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

Morrison's attorney, Stephen Buzin of Chickasha, said the allegations are without merit.

``We deny all the allegations contained in the complaint and will vigorously defend against this lawsuit,'' Buzin said.