Arbitration ordered in woman-on-woman sexual harassment case

JK Chevrolet recently had a motion to compel arbitration granted in a suit brought by a former employee alleging a female coworker sexually assaulted her.

As previously reported, Angela Jones filed suit against Nederland Chevrolet, doing business as JK Chevrolet, on April 7, 2011, in Jefferson County District Court.

Court records show that on Nov. 29 JK Chevrolet filed a motion to compel arbitration and to dismiss and stay all proceedings, asserting the company has a written agreement with Jones binding her to arbitration.

The motion states that the parties entered into the agreement on Dec. 14, 2009, in which Jones gave up her right to sue and right to trial by jury.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, granted the motion on Feb. 24, court records show.

In her suit, Jones claims she began working at Nederland Chevrolet in December 2009. Shortly after she began working at the company, Jones learned from other employees that she was the target of various sexual encounters a co-worker, Terry Sonata Comier, sought from her.

On May 29, 2010, Comier initiated her first sexual encounter with Jones by groping her in the presence of another dealership employee, the suit states. Again, on June 2, Comier approached Jones from behind and groped her, the complaint says.

Management did nothing to stop Comier's behavior following the incidents, Jones claims. As a result, Jones was forced to leave her job, according to the complaint.

Jones is seeking actual and punitive damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney's fees and costs.

Ryan C. Scott of The Scott Law Firm in Beaumont represents her.

Addison attorney Isaac Brown III of Werstein, Smith and Wilson represent the dealership.

Case No. A189-728