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Four workers at Harrah's popular nightclub The Pool have filed suit, claiming they were plied with liquor and sexually harassed by a supervisor who once was honored by the company as an exemplary leader.

The complaints allege Ray Montgomery, who was the bar's supervisor and director of entertainment at the casino, but who no longer has a job there, created a working environment that allowed harassment. Several casino officials and human resources workers also are accused of allowing Montgomery to continue his unwanted overtures. The complaint includes allegations he had sex with two of the women after giving them so much alcohol they blacked out.

The suits were filed Tuesday in Atlantic County Civil Court, according to the public documents obtained by The Press of Atlantic City. The Press does not name people who allege they are victims of sexual assaults.

While Harrah's policy is not to comment on personnel issues, spokeswoman Alyce Parker said, "We have a longstanding anti-harassment policy that provides employees with opportunities and channels - including a hotline - to communicate any allegations of improper activity, including sexual harassment."

Thomas Seeley, the attorney representing the four women, said that he has "no intention of trying this case in the media," and that the complaints speak for themselves.

"We have been investigating this case for many months and have come to the conclusion that Harrah's management inflicted a substantial wrong upon our clients over a long period," Seeley said.

Attempts to reach Montgomery were unsuccessful. A number listed to an R. Montgomery was temporarily disconnected. No lawyer was listed in the suit. Parker said she did not know how to reach the former casino employee.

No criminal charges were filed in any of the cases, Seeley said.

The strongest accusation comes from a woman who claims Montgomery twice had sex with her in her apartment, including one time when she woke up with him on top of her engaged in intercourse. She was not sure how he got into her home, according to the complaint.

Montgomery was fired sometime after April 9, when another plaintiff wrote a letter to management and the Human Resources Department. But the plaintiff also lost her job, when she was put on medical leave and then indefinite leave without pay, despite her requests to return to work, according to the allegations in the complaint. Seeley would not comment on what the alleged medical condition was.

Prior to that, she said Montgomery once tried to remove her slip after he said it looked "ugly," and another time lifted her dress above her waist and bit her on the buttocks. When she tried to leave, he did it again, the complaint says. Other employees and patrons allegedly witnessed the incident. She also said she witnessed Montgomery plying another one of the complainants with alcohol during an "interview" for a supervisor position. That night ended, according to that woman's suit, with her waking up naked in a Harrah's motel room with Montgomery, who told her they had sex.

"If we receive (a sexual harassment) complaint, we launch an investigation and, if appropriate, take prompt, effective and decisive action," Parker said Thursday.

But the woman in that case said anonymous letters were sent to Human Resources about the "interview" and Montgomery's "sexually aggressive" behavior, yet she was never questioned about it.

Montgomery also allowed a customer to harass a staffer, according to one complaint.

In one instance, he not only failed to remove a customer who was improperly touching one of the women, but he "advised the plaintiff that she should be more receptive to customers' advances in order to 'sell more bottles,'" her suit alleges.

She later was fired for having an argument with a co-worker, but she alleges the real reason is she was pregnant and also had refused Montgomery's advances.

A month before the letter that apparently led to Montgomery's termination, he was honored by Harrah's Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman with the Chairman's Award for Excellence in Leadership. Loveman is among those named in the suits.

Contact Lynda Cohen:

609-272-7257

LCohen@pressofac.com

More Coverage

• New sexual harassment suits go beyond The Pool, allege Harrah's knew and covered up

21 comments:

• hadenough (136) posts 5:49 pm

  I hope they hit Harrah's hard and get lots of money...But better take it in gold because the dollar will soon be nothing but scrap paper thanks to the criminals in the WH who are bent on destroying it and anything else that resembles freedom or America...

• Ghostdog- (28) posts 9:47 pm

  casino workers...unskilled labor from south jersey, could you get any more stupid and corrupt?

• Madison (74) posts 10:39 am

  The Pool has the reputation for being a 'cesspool.' The case will never reach court because once discovery commences the company will fold like a cheap deck chair.

• JerseyDevil (544) posts 5:20 am

  Any time I see this type of sexual harrasement I have doubts. These workers are looking for a easy buck, It happens all over. Police Departments,teachers,Verizon and many more companies. The problem is it is a nusinse suit and they all pay off.What they should do is to start taking these suers to court and fight back.In time the Prosecuters Office should start investigating these cases and there would be less suers. Granted that there are problems out there but there should be easier ways to solve them.

• Tin Lizzy (150) posts 10:18 pm

  geez, it's Adam & Eve all over again. if it's not the smoking, it's the leering. I think all the waitresses should wear Marian the Librarian outfits like extras in a Jane Austen movie. That'll keep those alpha dogs at bay. Show less leg. Otherwise, wear a wire and nipple-cam like Chris Hansen on Dateline. Ka-ching! $$$! Retire to Barbados.

• DJgetem (3) posts 8:41 pm

  This isn't just the pool. Harrah's breeds this type of environment throughout the entire casino and no one has done anything about it. Good for these women for standing up to Harrahs, but the corporation will just tie this up and it will never see a court date.

• sandinshoes2 (23) posts 7:18 pm

  To Barry MCSAME, you are insane and a d-k. There has /is a lot of harrassment at Harrahs . Co-worker jealousy, men without morals. Golf with the boss ( or play poker at the house with them ??) and you are OK. One jerk I know , treats dealers, and Floor people like crap, no management style or education, complaints against him (WW) winey winy ""Builly W" and he still works there. you know who you are. May you rot in hell, along with all the other dh. Too much harrasment, be it sexual or just plain antagonistic BS. PIT Managers , and Casino managers, shift bosses, they ignore the issues. Written complaints made not a hill of beans difference. I wish I had gotten a lawyer . Whats the statue of limitations???

• STONECRAB (47) posts 7:03 pm

  SLIPS ARE UGLY ! LIVE LONG AND LOVE THE THONG ! IF ALL ELSE FAILS GET A TRAMP STAMP !

• sirprincethedog (1) posts 5:31 pm

  UGH! This is absolutely disgusting. I was supposed to be heading down to AC for the weekend and had reservations to stay at Harrah's and was really looking forward to this. Now there no way I would even put a nickle in their slot machine let alone PAY for a hotel room. How did they let that monster work there for so long. I feel sick and now my weekend is ruined. UGH.

• QuesProds (1) posts 4:44 pm

  That this is still going on now is very, very depressing. It is the same old story. And it is enough now. People. eps. employers need to get the message. This is disrespectful and unacceptable. Grow up. And it is clearly illegal. In fact it is illegal to provide some recourse when someone acts in such a neanderthal manner. Thank God it has been brought into the courts.

• Deevo (1) posts 3:32 pm

  It never ceases to amaze me the misogyny that exists in our culture...There are certainly women (and men) who take advantage of a system that sometimes rewards people for bad judgement, behaviour and retribution for unmet expectations or some sense of misguided entitlement....but to prejudge and make comments like some made here that pigeonhole all of these claimants as seeking "freebies" or gold diggers is sexist and ignorant. Period. At deeper issue is a corporate culture that kept a man known to have a history of blatant (and subtle) sexual misconduct and coercion on the payroll because he was a "producer". HR policy manuals on the shelf and procedures supposedly to be followed by Harrah's recited to the media by lame PR spokespeople may sound good but their lack of implementation, neglect of bonafide complaints and concerns raised about this man's behavior for a number of years(!) point out that much needs to still change in the effort to end gender bias, maltreatment and inappropriate conduct in the workplace. I would suggest that critics wait to review the whole story, examine the merits of all the claimants...this likely was just the tip of the iceberg in this case, stay tuned....before passing judgement. Most importantly, look in the mirror and examine your own bias.

• ell255 (1) posts 3:07 pm

  Why is it that if you have money and power you think you can get away with just about anything? Is morality just not a factor anymore when big business and money is involved? This is just sad! I hope these women stay strong and hold their heads up high when reading some of these horrible comments here and anywhere else. You people have no right to judge, and I personally say good for them for standing up for themselves and for what is right, and being willing to loose their jobs over it.

• nightowl (2) posts 3:06 pm

  Sounds like classic managment not minding the store. You would think that a big company would be more sensitive to lawsuits and make sure these types of activities do not happpen. I guess they are going to learn the hardway this time. Even as small business owner with only 400 employees my HR people do not tolerate anything even close to these circumbstances. Even an of color remark can be sexual harrasment. What was Harras thinking by letting this happen.

• doctor22 (1) posts 2:52 pm

  It seems to me that this major corp. enabled Montgomery to victimize these women dont you think they should be held accountable? And also isnt anyone curious why Montgomery's phone is disconnected? And Harrahs isnt even commenting???????

• PissedoffTim (1) posts 2:49 pm

  These poor women. This type of abuse can not tolerated and should not be condoned. In these tough times when people are most afraid to lose their income, this monster and Harrahs takes advantage of that fear and these women. I will never step foot in a Harrahs owned property again. I hope the Judge makes an example of this case so that the rest of corporate America wakes up.

• cornyone (2) posts 2:31 pm

  This poor woman wasn't even questioned about the abuse. You have to read the whole article people. How can you say that their just out for money, do you know any of these women? If this was your sister wouldn't you want justice for her. This montgomery needs to stand before his accusers and yes Harrahs should dig into their very deep pockets if the judge sees fit.

• B4real (371) posts 12:12 pm

  If these 'victims' really wanted justice they would be going after the alleged rapist, Montgomery. Instead they go for the easy money after the fact.

• DAbseconM (1) posts 12:06 pm

  I use to work for the casino industry...I, as well as many others, are aware of the fact that the women who work there are suppose to have a certain appearance to aid in the revenue of the business. However, no matter what the situation is, it is completely unacceptable to be taken advantage of sexually - it's a real shame that whoever commented beforehand is placing the blame on these women. Just because someone may appear a certain way, does not entitle anyone to harass them in any way, shape, or form. We all place ourselves in circumstances that may not be well thought out prior, but again, being violated is unnecessary and extremely uncalled for.

• Barry McSame (136) posts 11:00 am

  same old same old. give the lecher what he wants in the hope the "freebie" will advance your career. then, when it does not pan out, cry "rape" and "i don't know!" and "alochol...a blackout, sore labia, that's all I know, oh woe is me." Pathetic pussee. We know what you are, we're just haggling about the price. Will the judge put their $$$$ award on the dresser when he leaves?

• Nikynewark (118) posts 10:05 am

  Re:"bit her on the buttocks", "her waking up naked". What, no evidence photos????

• gchernya (40) posts 9:54 am

  sex sells (harras pool), but there are a few glitches... hard to control employeees who do the serve around there...

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