HOUSTON - Alleging she was "singled out" by Sutherland Mortgage Services Inc. for sexual harassment because of her gender, Houston resident Tessa Vitatoe pursues legal action.
Vitatoe sued her employer in Harris County District Court on July 26.
Her lawsuit was removed to the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Sept. 6.
Court papers allege that on the evening of Nov. 14, 2012, one of the defendant's managers reportedly approached Vitatoe at her vehicle and "then made multiple unwanted sexual advances toward (her), both verbally and physically."
According to the suit, the manager confronted Vitatoe about the incident the next day, prompting her to file a complaint apparently to no avail.
Vitatoe alleges her harasser visited her apartment to her horror.
She claims Sutherland promised to conduct an investigation only to treat her "with indifference," even telling her no one can walk her to her car again as well as threatening her with a write-up for supposedly drinking with the manager.
The company ultimately forced the plaintiff to resign, she claims.
Consequently, Vitatoe seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Attorney Travis L. Shaw of Patout & Shaw PLLC in Sugar Land is representing the plaintiff.
Case No. 4:13-CV-2619
Lawsuit: Mortgage company failed to address employee's concerns about sexual harassment
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