The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has taken legal action against a seafood company in Louisiana, accusing it of creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against an employee who reported sexual harassment. Filed on September 27, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the complaint targets Minden Seafood, LLC and Dorcheat Seafood, LLC for their alleged treatment of Tiffany Frankel.
According to the EEOC's filing, Ms. Frankel began her employment with Dorcheat Seafood as a waitress in 2011 and later worked as a cashier at Minden Seafood starting in 2018. The complaint details how her working conditions deteriorated significantly when Ledderick "Bubba" Edwards joined Minden Seafood in February 2021. It is alleged that Edwards subjected Ms. Frankel to ongoing sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments about her body and propositions for sex in exchange for financial support. The situation escalated when Edwards allegedly followed Ms. Frankel into a bathroom and exposed himself.
Despite Ms. Frankel's complaints to co-workers and Jeremy Wesson, the sole proprietor of both companies, no effective action was taken to address the harassment or protect her from further incidents. After enduring continued harassment and fearing for her safety, Ms. Frankel resigned on November 15, 2021. Her subsequent request to return to work at Dorcheat Seafood was denied by Mr. Wesson after she informed him of pressing charges against Edwards.
The EEOC argues that the defendants violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by failing to prevent sexual harassment and retaliating against Ms. Frankel for reporting it. They are seeking injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination and retaliation by ordering policy changes within the companies, as well as compensatory damages for Ms. Frankel's emotional distress and lost wages.
Representing the EEOC are attorneys Karla Gilbride, Christopher Lage, Gwendolyn Young Reams, Rudy L. Sustaita, Gregory T. Juge, Elizabeth J. Owen, Jacqueline C. Barber, Peter F. Theis, and Scott D. Wilson from their New Orleans Field Office located at Hale Boggs Federal Building on Poydras Street.
Case ID: No. 24-2360