A married dentist in Maine has left his small town in turmoil after being sued by his former assistant – and alleged lover – who accused him of creating an explosive sex scandal.
Dr. Aaron Palmer is facing an 11-count civil filing from his married former employee, Lucina Burns, who claimed he was in a relationship with her and then she tried to leave him and the dental practice.
At the time, Palmer owned and operated Smile Design and Elevate Dental Extractions with Burns as his dental assistant from 2012 to 2023.
Over the years, their alleged relationship would continue on and off, before it was discovered by Palmer’s wife and Burns was eventually fired “quite literally ‘for sex.'”
Burns’ 29-page complaint accuses Palmer of not only “sexually taking advantage of her while in a position of power as her boss,” but also “financially by failing to pay overtime” and withholding wages after she left the job .
Throughout the filing, Palmer is accused of trying to bribe Burns and her husband, as well as another colleague, with large sums of money or expensive gifts.
Their close relationship began after Palmer allegedly kissed Burns, and Burns said it slowly grew into a more serious affair when he started buying her gifts — one that cost more than $1,400.
Burns, who was also married, claimed in her filing that she had felt severe guilt and remorse during their affair, but that on occasions when she tried to leave, Palmer “comforted” her and convinced her to stay, usually with a gift.
Lucina ‘Terra’ Burns accused Dr. Aaron Palmer in a recent 11-count complaint against him that Palmer discriminated against and took advantage of her during their alleged affair
In 2021, Burns received a check for $5,000, which he said would help with a down payment on a car.
That same year, Palmer put Burns on salary as a “bonus” instead of paying her hourly.
She was increased from $32 an hour to $36 an hour for 40 hours of work, “plus Elevate’s stipend” — which was $2,000 a month — regardless of the number of hours she worked.
Burns claimed Palmer always reignited the affair and she was “rewarded” with more bonuses and gifts.
In 2022, Burns received a $5,000 American Express credit card and Palmer wrote her, “It cannot be overstated how important you are to me!” I want you to know that I recognize how much of your personal time and energy you have put into making this a success. I feel how much you really care… and I can’t express how much that really means to me.”
As their affair intensified in August 2022, Burns said she began to feel increasingly guilty and that the work environment had become “hostile.”
She wanted to leave again and became more distant from him, at which point Palmer professed his love for her and said he “couldn’t live without her,” according to the filing.
Burns said Palmer went so far as to offer to make her a partner in the practice and share profits with her.
As their alleged affair continued, Burns attended a wedding with her husband. That’s when she said he found the messages between Burns and Palmer.
Palmer is also accused of buying and attempting to bribe Burns and her husband with large sums of money or lavish gifts, in some cases to allegedly buy her husband’s silence and keep Burns working in his office.
As their affair intensified in August 2022, Burns said she began to feel increasingly guilty and that the work environment had become “hostile.” She wanted to leave again and became more distant from him, which was met by Palmer professing his love for her and saying he “couldn’t live without her,” according to the filing.
Burns hoped he would forgive her, as she claimed he had been unfaithful before, but he filed for a divorce.
Palmer had reportedly offered to pay Burns’ mortgage, car payment and any bills – which she refused – after confiding that her husband had discovered the affair and expressed fear of losing her job.
Burns was caring for her children at her husband’s house when she discovered an email from Palmer on his laptop in which he allegedly offered $50,000 in exchange for Burns’ husband’s silence, and another $50,000 in three months.
In addition, the dentist offered her estranged husband $50,000 per year “indefinitely,” but only “as long as my family stays together, AND your family stays together AND Terra can still work at the practice,” according to the filing. .
He told Burns, who arrived at work the next day in tears, that he didn’t want to be in the office without her and that he wanted to compensate her husband so he could “keep” her, according to the complaint.
Palmer also allegedly offered Burns’ husband a car.
Palmer’s wife discovered the alleged affair after her toothbrush was left in his car following an appointment at a hotel in 2023. When Burns checked in with him, he texted her back and said, “I’m not doing this without you, I need you . there, don’t lose faith in me.’
A week passed, Palmer had called every day while Burns continued to work until he sent her an email firing her.
Burns was caring for her children at her husband’s house when she discovered an email from Palmer on his laptop in which he allegedly offered $50,000 in exchange for Burns’ husband’s silence, and another $50,000 in three months.
She was offered eight weeks’ pay, but she said she never received the last $2,000. He allegedly canceled the “gift” American Express card, of which Burns had only used $1,800.
Palmer later emailed her and allegedly said he “forced” her into the situation between them, “including the affair and her termination.”
The filing stated, “Although the sexual relationship between Burns and Dr. Palmer was consensual, he conditioned the terms and privileges of her employment on sex and made her feel uncomfortable for years about leaving her job and/or ending their affair. fire her.”
It further added that Burns believed her professional reputation had been tarnished by Palmer, claiming she could not find comparable employment and that her former colleagues were aware of the lawsuit.
Burns has accused Palmer of failing to pay overtime for working more than 40 hours per week, withholding payment for hours worked after she left the job, gender discrimination and creating a hostile work environment.
She is also suing for his alleged sexual harassment, defamation, violation of the Maine Human Rights Act by retaliating against her and unlawfully interfering with her efforts to find another job.
She had previously filed a complaint of discrimination with the Maine Human Rights Commission and received a right to sue letter, and had also previously filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Burns is now seeking damages for Palmer’s alleged interference with “prospective economic benefit,” including actual and punitive damages, emotional distress and compensation for her losses.
DailyMail.com has contacted Dr Palmer for comment.