A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging severe harassment and wrongful termination. The complaint was filed by Chelsey Fruge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on June 27, 2024, targeting Gulf Coast Marine Fabricators, Inc.
Chelsey Fruge claims that during her employment from June 2022 to September 2022, she experienced persistent sexual harassment and hostile behavior from her direct supervisor, Amos Badeaux. Fruge was hired as a clerk for a project in Sylacauga, Alabama, with a pay rate of $35 per hour plus $100 per day per diem. She left her previous job for this position due to the higher pay. However, things took a dark turn when Badeaux allegedly began making sexual advances towards her. Feeling compelled to comply to keep her job and support her four children, Fruge engaged in intercourse with Badeaux on multiple occasions.
The situation deteriorated further when Fruge ended the sexual relationship. Badeaux's behavior became increasingly hostile; he called her vulgar names and accused her of having sexual relationships with other men at work. Despite being offered a promotion on August 1, 2022, and being assured of job security even during layoffs on August 12, 2022, the harassment continued unabated. This led Fruge to seek medical attention for anxiety caused by the toxic work environment.
On August 29, 2022, Christophe Toupin from OMYA identified Fruge as a site contact in his absence. However, Badeaux's hostility escalated further as he began texting vulgar messages and threatening her employment. He even recruited other employees to join in the harassment and made it nearly impossible for Fruge to complete her job duties by refusing essential communication.
Fruge reported the harassment to Badeaux’s supervisor Shawn Dugas on September 8, 2022. Despite assurances that the issue would be addressed, no action was taken by Gulf Coast Marine Fabricators. On September 13, 2022, Badeaux demanded either Fruge be fired or he would quit. That same day, Fruge received an email from Badeaux stating she was no longer needed at the job site.
As a result of these events, Fruge claims she suffered financial losses due to lost income and relocation expenses along with medical costs related to extreme anxiety and depression caused by both harassment and wrongful termination.
In her lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§2000e-17), Fruge accuses Gulf Coast Marine Fabricators of discrimination based on sex and retaliation following complaints about workplace harassment. She seeks back pay for lost wages along with damages for decreased earnings potential and reimbursement for moving expenses. Additionally, she requests compensation for medical treatment related to anxiety and depression induced by workplace conditions as well as general damages for mental anguish suffered due to defendant’s actions.
The case is being handled by attorney Somer G. Brown from Cox Cox Filo Camel Wilson & Brown LLC located in Lake Charles Louisiana while awaiting judgment under Case ID:6:24-cv-00865