FRESNO — A Fresno County man is suing a raisin supply company, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
Jose Jacuinde filed a complaint Sept. 13 in Fresno County Superior Court against National Raisin Company, Gerardo Carranza, and Does 1 through 20, alleging violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
According to the complaint, in January 2004, Jacuinde began working for National Raisin as a forklift operator in the shipping and receiving department. Jacuinde alleges he started experiencing unwelcome, offensive and sexually-oriented verbal and physical conduct when Carranza became his supervisor.
The suit says Jacuinde was suspended for five days and then terminated Nov. 18, 2016, for allegedly rejecting Carranza's sexual advances. As a result, Jacuinde says he suffered loss of income, severe emotional distress and embarrassment.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to provide employment conditions and relationships where an employee could safely work free from visual and verbal harassment, failed to respond adequately or effectively to employees' complaints of harassment and retaliated against an employee for complaints and opposition to discrimination and harassment.
Jacuinde seeks trial by jury, general, special and punitive damages, reinstatement to his job, cost of suit, attorney fees, and all other relief the court deems just and proper. He is represented by attorney Amanda B. Whitten of Bryant Whitten, LLP in Fresno.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 17CECG03154