Sexual harassment can occur in any type of job. A recent case demonstrates that charges of predatory behavior can even arise in a workplace that is supposedly dedicated to ensuring justice for Georgia residents.
In a disturbing case of alleged sexual harassment and assault, Karen Webb, a former employee of the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts, claims she was subjected to unwanted advances from her superior. Webb alleges that Nicholas Cotten, the office’s former chief deputy clerk, forced himself on her despite repeated objections.
A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia includes the following allegations regarding offensive activity Webb says she experienced from June 2022 through 2023:
- Cotten persistently sent Webb sexually explicit pictures and requested that she send similar pictures to her.
- On numerous occasions, Cotten touched and bumped into Webb without her consent.
- In one instance, Cotten asked Webb if she was wearing underwear while touching her genital area.
- Cotten used profane language to tell Webb that he wanted to have sex with her.
- On the night of an office holiday party, Cotten told Webb he had reserved a hotel room and wanted her to join him there.
- In the office, Cotten once pushed Webb over a desk and had sexual intercourse with her despite her protests evidencing a clear lack of consent.
When Webb reported the sexual harassment and assault to a member of the Human Resources department at the Clerk’s Office, she was told that they would not take any action without more evidence, due to Cotten’s position and stature. Though other employees had made similar complaints, the HR employee encouraged Webb to keep quiet about the mistreatment she endured.
Moreover, Webb received negative work reports regarding her tardiness, which she believed to be retaliatory based on the fact that male employees were not disciplined for similar issues. She was also transferred to a less desirable work location, about 30-45 minutes away. Webb persisted and brought her complaint directly to the Fulton County Clerk and EEOC. At this point, department employees advised that if she did not drop the case, she’d be permanently assigned to the location where she did not want to work.
Though Cotten no longer works for the Clerk’s Office, his alleged actions and the failure of the HR department to respond effectively to Webb’s claims are stark reminders that sexual harassment remains a serious problem in the workplace. The case also underscores the importance of employers treating sexual harassment and other forms of gender discrimination seriously no matter how powerful the alleged predator might be within the organization.
At The Reddy Law Firm, P.C., we seek justice for victims of sexual harassment and discrimination. Please call 678-629-3246 or contact us online to speak with an accomplished Georgia employment lawyer. Our office is in Alpharetta.
