Water Park Worker Accuses Ex-Boss Of Sexual Harassment

Employee Claims Manager Sent Numerous Text Messages, Physically Touched Him

Posted: 08/07/2012
Last Updated: 292 days ago

A longtime manager at a South Bay water park has been fired amid accusations of repeated and brazen sexual harassment of a young employee.

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According to a complaint obtained by 10News, a food services employee at Knott's Soak City in Chula Vista claimed he had been harassed by his 37-year-old male supervisor.

"The biggest feeling is humiliation," said attorney Dan Gilleon, who is representing the employee.

Gilleon showed 10News several text messages the employee claimed he started receiving from his direct boss last year.

The employee, a college student in his third summer season at the water park, said he started receiving text messages from his boss last year.

One message said, "I love your bottom." Another read, "You should come over when you get off so we can fool around. LOL. I'll pay you!!!"

According to Gilleon, many of the text messages were sent during the workday.

"It would happen every day," Gilleon told 10News.

Gilleon said the harassment included text messages, verbal comments and repeated physical touching.

"My client would be leaning over a counter, working on food or whatever he was doing at the time … [the supervisor would] come up behind him and simulate a sex move," said Gilleon.

Gilleon said his client ignored his boss, and in one text message, the supervisor questioned why the employee was being mean and ignoring him.

Eventually, Gilleon said his client's hours were cut in retaliation.

The employee also said he saw his boss hit on other employees and others.

"He would observe him pick-up on customers and flirt with them," said Gilleon.

10News learned the supervisor was recently fired.

Gilleon has filed a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing -- a precursor to a lawsuit.

"The message needs to be sent to higher-ups: this sort of thing can't happen," said Gilleon.

Knott's Soak City declined to comment on the matter.

Gilleon said he would not reveal the identities of the former manager and the employee until the lawsuit is filed.

Copyright Do you have more information about this story? Click here to contact usCopyright 2012 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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