Former country club staffer files $15 million lawsuit over ‘years of sexual harassment by wealthy members

A woman who worked as a beverage attendant at a luxury golf club in Southern California is suing the establishment over claims she was subjected to years of sexual harassment and assault by both wealthy members and male staff.

Peyton Stover, 26, of Long Beach, worked at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach in Orange County for two years, serving golfers drinks as they played on the courses.

She says she was often groped and asked to lift up her shirt.

After she complained to her supervisor James Popper and the club’s manager, Mitchel Queen, they defended the behavior on the grounds that the golfers had paid a premium to become members of the club, Stover’s lawsuit alleges.

She is seeking $15 million in damages.

Fees at the club are believed to be around $5,000 a year after an enrollment fee of up to $10,000.

In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court, Stover alleges that the club condoned such behavior and put profits before its legal obligations to its employees.

The bullying she suffered, she says, eventually forced her to turn to drink.

In the suit seen by the Orange County RegistryStover claims golfers routinely groped her and provided her with alcohol and drugs before sending her sexually explicit text messages, all with management’s approval.

Golfers had his number after using it to place drink orders while on the 128-acre course. After their games ended, the members continued to send him sexually explicit messages and asked to see his breasts, Stover says.

Stover accuses Poper of telling her that being objectified made her more money and that the club members could treat the employees however they wanted without repercussions, due to the amount they paid in membership dues.

‘[Stover] understood this to mean that members were allowed to treat Old Ranch employees as they wish without repercussions or recourse and that Old Ranch condoned, condoned, and even encouraged this conduct as part of its business model for profit,’ the lawsuit says. . .

Stover alleges that a member of the club harassed, abused and sexually assaulted her, but her complaints were ignored.

She also claims that Poper himself also contributed to the harassment by sending her sexually explicit messages, including on one occasion asking her what color underwear she was wearing.

The lawsuit details how when Stover brought his complaints to Queen’s attention, he confirmed that Pope had sexually harassed other female employees, but took no further action to stop him.

“On each occasion, Queen simply confirmed that she knew that Pope had sexually harassed other Old Ranch employees and that his conduct was shocking. However, she did not take any action against Poper to cease this conduct,” the lawsuit states.

Stover started working for the club in April 2019, relocating from Washington state to Southern California.

As part of his duties, in addition to providing refreshments for the players, he was also tasked with building relationships and helping retain club members.

But the warnings were already there even during the job interview. Poper asked her if she had “thick skin” and if she could “keep her mouth shut”.

She was even allegedly verbally warned by the previous beverage cart attendant that the male members of the club would beat her and try to force her to consume alcohol.

‘[Stover] he was not sure what to make of these comments at the time and simply dismissed them,” the lawsuit states.

Months after starting her job, Stover alleges that one of the golfers harassed, abused and sexually assaulted her.

The assault saw her being grabbed, pushed onto a golf cart and bent over in a sexual manner, all without consent.

‘[Stover] felt that any further complaints about club members would ultimately fall on deaf ears and lead to retaliation, including termination, as the atmosphere was that club members’ wishes outweighed legal obligations to their employees,’ the lawsuit says. .

“I was really scared and nervous, I had no support and I was convinced that they were not going to do anything,” she said. Southern California newsgroup.

Stover explains how he felt powerless in the situation because he needed the job and had no alternative but to continue working at the club.

She detailed several examples of male members pushing boundaries with her in the lawsuit, including how a man allegedly behaved inappropriately towards her for eight months.

The member is accused of flirting with Stover, touching her legs and back without her consent, kissing her and constantly texting her while at work.

The member also tried to persuade Stover to start a sex toy business, sending him numerous articles and advertisements for sex toys.

Another club member is accused of sending Stover explicit text messages, kissing her, throwing money at her and asking her to move into a spare room above his garage.

A third party allegedly offered to pay Stover $300 to see her breasts, lifted her shirt in front of other club members, and forced her to drink by pushing her against a golf cart and pouring alcohol on her.

An attorney representing Stover said her client did not come forward earlier because she feared retaliation and revictimization.

‘It’s bloody appalling. When you are in management, you have a duty to protect employees and a duty to investigate complaints. those in [the club] failed miserably and, in fact, doubled,” said attorney Raymond Babaian.

The complaint seeks compensation for underpayment of wages, as well as other wage and hour violations and compensation for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, negligent hiring and retention, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more.

Stover eventually resigned from the club and fell into depression, turning to alcohol to escape the trauma of the abuse. She currently works as a yoga instructor.

DailyMail.com contacted Stover for comment but did not receive a response.