FRESNO – A Fresno County resident employed by a Sanger poultry processing plant alleges the company's human resource department did not take corrective action when she reported that she was harassed by a manager and a supervisor.
Zuleyma Perez filed a complaint on Feb. 13 in the Fresno County Superior Court against Pitman Farms, Romel Patterson, Alonso Cano and Does 1-25 citing the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff began working as a packer for the defendant in March 2018 and Patterson was the plant manager. She alleges Patterson verbally harassed her and made offensive sexual comments. The suit states the plaintiff complained about Patterson's alleged behavior to human resources and requested a transfer, which was granted.
She alleges she was transferred to the egg room where Cano was the supervisor, and he also allegedly sexually harassed her.
The plaintiff holds Pitman Farms, Patterson, Cano and Does 1-25 responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to take appropriate corrective action after she reported the illegal harassment.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants for general, special, compensatory and punitive damages; civil penalties; declaratory and injunctive relief; interest; attorneys' fees; costs of suit and further relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Michael J. Bononi and Kevin D. Cardona of Bononi Law Group LLP in Pasadena.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 19-CECG-556