Skip to main content

Office 'Sex Party' Leads to Federal Lawsuit

By Jason Beahm on November 03, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

There is a time and a place for everything. On second thought, I'm not so sure that's true.

Jessica Webber, a hotel employee in Eugene, Oregon, has filed suit against her boss, Julie Frederick, alleging that the company party became a "sex party." Courthouse News Service reports that Frederick's husband stripped down to thong underwear in the restaurant and performed lap dances to employees and guests. Minutes later, according to the sex party lawsuit, the thong came off and things got even weirder.

Webber was allegedly later subjected to a game of "ring toss," involving the genitalia of the Frederick's husband. In addition, Frederick's husband allegedly danced nude and masturbated publicly, as well as had guests estimate the size of his genitalia. Meanwhile, Frederick handed out sex toys are prizes for those who guessed correctly. Webber also says that in 2008, Frederick showed her a letter from her husband that promised to fulfill any sexual fantasy and "talked about her sexual fantasies and asked plaintiff and other employees for advice or suggestions."

And to think the biggest scandal at one of my office parties was when two colleagues made out in a coat closet. The details in this sex party lawsuit, while tempting to make light of, are serious allegations of behavior patently inappropriate for a workplace. Sexual harassment cases can put a company out of business. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination, generally involving unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other inappropriate and unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Webber filed suit against the Markum Inn in Federal Court. She says that after working at the Markum for three years, she was forced to quit because of the appalling behavior by her boss. She is suing for sexual harassment, hostile workplace and constructive termination, Courthouse News Service reports. Webber, represented by Portland attorney Judy Snyder, is suing for $900,000.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard