HOUSTON – Alleging that he was subjected to a “sexually hostile work environment” when he used to work for Jack in the Box, Pearland resident Alejandro Delapaz has pursued legal action against the San Diego-based fast food restaurant chain.
In his 10-page lawsuit filed on Feb. 26 in the Harris County 269th District Court, Delapaz asserts that a worker named John Escobar began to sexually harass him shortly after he started his employment at the eatery located at 3426 Main St. in Pearland in late 2016.
Escobar was about the age of 20 while Delapaz, who had just turned 16, was a minor, the suit says.
According to court papers, Escobar touched the plaintiff inappropriately and made sexual comments towards his direction. Delapaz’s efforts to have Jack in the Box properly address Escobar’s actions were unsuccessful, the suit says.
Court documents further claim that some three months after the first incident, a “very agitated” Escobar approached the complainant “in a threatening manner” and had to be restrained by another employee.
Delapaz ultimately resigned from Jack in the Box out of fear for his safety and well-being, the original petition states.
It lists Escobar as a co-defendant.
Consequently, the complainant seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
He is represented by Robert E. Goodman, Jr. of the law firm Kilgore & Kilgore, PLLC in Dallas.
Harris County 269th District Court Case No. 2019-14128