EEOC Gets Involved In Virgin Harassment Case

In an unusual move, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Virgin Records, alleging that the L.A.-based label created "a sexually hostile work environment" for a former female employee that resulted in her firing. The suit, filed Sept. 28 in U.S. District Court in L.A., claims that Stephanie Velasquez, who worked in the label's computer department, was subjected to sexually suggestive remarks, repeated requests for sexual favors, and groping by her manager, Walter Lawson. When Velasquez rejected Lawson's advances, the EEOC alleges, he had her terminated.

The EEOC, which receives numerous complaints each year, decided to pursue this case based on its own investigation. "If we didn't have proper evidence, we wouldn't have found cause [for the complaint]," says a source with the agency.

Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC and author of the complaint, says the music industry has been on the agency's radar for some time. "It's an industry that has had problems," she says, adding that the suit was prompted by the egregiousness of the case, lack of responsiveness from the employer, and expressed fear of reprisals from those who spoke out. "That's the role of the EEOC?to go into industries where people are afraid to come forward," says Park.

The EEOC seeks undisclosed monetary benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and companywide training on discrimination, among other relief. Calls to Virgin parent EMI were not returned.