Woman sues country club for $15 million for ‘sexual harassment by rich golfer’

A woman who worked as a drink attendant at a luxury golf club in Southern California It is suing the establishment over allegations of years of sexual harassment and assault by wealthy members and some male staff members.

Peyton Stover, a 26-year-old Long Beach native, worked for two years at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, Orange County, serving drinks to golfers. They often groped her and asked her to lift her shirt, she says.

After she filed a complaint with her supervisor, James Poper, and the club’s manager, Mitchell Queen, they defended the action on the grounds that the golfer had paid a premium to become a member of the club. Stover’s lawsuit alleges.

She is seeking $15 million in damages. Membership dues at the club are believed to be close to $5,000 a year, with an initiation fee of up to $10,000.

Stover’s lawsuit alleges that golfers at the club regularly subjected Stover to sexual harassment and assault, and provided drugs and alcohol for two years.Photo: clubhouse

In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court, Stover alleges that the club condoned such conduct and placed its interests above its legal obligations to its employees.

She said the harassment continued and she was eventually forced to drink.

in a suit seen by Orange County RegistryStover claims the golfer would regularly touch her, offer her alcohol and drugs, and then later send her sexually explicit text messages – all with management approval.

The golfer knew her number after using it to order drinks on the 128-acre course. Stover says he asked to see his breasts.

After she complained to supervisor James Poper and club manager Mitchell Queen (pictured), they said the behavior was because the golfer had paid a premium to become a member of the club. effectively defended the

Stover told her that being objectified would make her more money, and club members could treat their employees however they wanted without repercussions for the amount they paid in their dues. Blame Poper.

‘[Stover] This means that Members are permitted to treat Old Ranch employees as they please, and Old Ranch condones, ratifies, and even encourages this practice as part of its profitable business model. I understood that it meant that I did,” the lawsuit states. .

Stover claims to have been sexually harassed, abused and assaulted by members of the club, but her complaints were ignored.

She also alleges that Poper herself also contributed to the harassment by sending sexually explicit messages.

Stover’s lawsuit alleges that Old Ranch Country Club condoned such conduct and placed its interests above its legal obligations to its employees.

Stover moved to Southern California from Washington State in April 2019 and began working for the club.

The lawsuit details that when Stover brought her complaint to Queen’s attention, Poper admitted to sexually harassing another female employee but took no further action to stop him. It states

“On each occasion, Queen confirmed that he knew that Poper had sexually harassed another female Old Ranch employee and that his behavior was disgusting. No action was taken against Poper because of this,” the lawsuit states.

Stover started working for the club in April 2019 when he moved to Southern California from Washington.

As part of her duties, she was tasked with serving refreshments to the players as well as helping build relationships and retain club membership.

One golfer said he offered Stover $300 to look at her breasts and forced her to drink by lifting her shirt in front of other club members, pressing her against a golf car and pouring alcohol on her. It is

Stover offered drinks to golfers while out on the rink, and golfers often groped her and asked her to lift her shirt.

But even during the job interview, the warning was already there: Poper asked her if she had “thick skin” and “can I keep my mouth shut?”

She was said to have been verbally warned by a former beverage cart attendant that male members of the club would beat her and attempt to force her to consume alcohol.

‘[Stover] I didn’t know what to make of these comments at the time and simply brushed them off,” the lawsuit states.

A few months into the job, Stover claims he was sexually harassed, abused and assaulted by one of the golfers.

The assault saw her grabbed, pushed into a golf car, and bent over in a sexual manner, all without consent.

‘[Stover] Any further complaints about members of the club would ultimately fall on deaf ears, leading to retaliation, including dismissal.

One member tried to persuade Stover to start a sex toy business, sending her numerous articles and advertisements about sex toys.

Another club member was accused of sending explicit text messages to Stover, kissing her, throwing money at her, and asking her to move to a spare room above the garage.

Membership dues at the club are believed to be close to $5,000 a year, with an initiation fee of up to $10,000.

“I was really scared and nervous. I didn’t have any support. I was sure they wouldn’t do anything,” she said. Southern California newsgroup.

Stover explains how he felt helpless in the situation because he needed a job and had no choice but to continue working at the club.

She detailed various instances when male members crossed boundaries with her in lawsuits.

Members have been accused of flirting with Stover, touching her legs and back without her consent, kissing her, and texting her constantly while at work.

Members also attempted to trick Stover into starting a sex toy business, sending numerous articles and advertisements about sex toys.

Another club member was accused of sending explicit text messages to Stover, kissing her, throwing money at her, and asking her to move into a spare room above the garage.

Stover eventually resigned from the club, fell into depression, and turned to alcohol to escape the trauma of his abuse.Currently working as a yoga instructor

A third offered to pay Stover $300 to look at her breasts, then raped her by lifting her shirt in front of other club members, shoving her into a golf car and pouring alcohol on her. was forced to drink.

A lawyer representing Stover said his client did not immediately come forward because she feared retaliation and being victimized again.

“It’s terrible. When you’re in management, you have to protect your employees and you have a duty to investigate complaints.” [the club] It failed miserably and doubled in fact,” said attorney Raymond Babaian.

The complaint seeks compensation for underpayment of wages, other wage and hour violations, as well as for sex discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, negligent hiring and retention, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Stover eventually resigned from the club, fell into depression, and turned to alcohol to escape the trauma of his abuse. He is currently working as a yoga instructor.

Stover did not respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.