HOUSTON – A former receptionist has filed a lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed at the Houston medical clinic she used to work at, according to recent Harris County District Court records.
Melissa Nieto sued Ortega Medical Clinic, P.L.L.C. and its owner, Dr. Juan A. Ortega, in the Harris County 152nd District Court on Mar. 16.
Nieto, whom the defendants hired in May 2008, asserts Ortega made inappropriate comments to her, as well as offered her financial support if she would divorce her husband for her.
The plaintiff recounts in instance in which Ortega called her into his office and tried to kiss her despite her pleas to stop.
Court papers further state that the clinic offered employees free consultation and checkups. Nieto says Ortega inappropriately touched her during her appointments with him.
Legal counsel hired by the complainant sent a letter to the clinic regarding Ortega’s supposed misbehavior in October 2016.
The facility reportedly retaliated against Nieto by denying her requests for leave and evaluating her negatively.
The hostile work environment forced the plaintiff to resign on July 27, 2017, the original petition says.
Consequently, she seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Todd Slobin and Doreen Vanderberg-Rodes of the law firm Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP in Houston is representing Nieto.
Harris County 152nd District Court Case No. 2018-17961