Ex-APA Worker Files Sexual Harassment Suit; Agency Claims

An nameless former APA worker mentioned in a lawsuit Wednesday that she suffered a “toxic, pervasive and sexually abusive environment” on the company, and was fired in retaliation after she complained. The company mentioned in a press release that it had already investigated her claims and located them to be false, and accused her of an extortion try.

The lawsuit, filed beneath the identify Jane Doe, mentioned two high-ranking executives subjected her to undesirable sexual feedback and overtures, and that she was sexually assaulted by a producer who was an APA shopper in July 2017. She mentioned that when she reported to high executives that she was assaulted, they warned her that she could be fired if she went to police.

In a press release to TheWrap, an APA spokesperson mentioned an investigation of Doe’s claims had discovered that she falsified texts and emails as a part of a shakedown.

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“APA has not seen the complaint. However, we heard many of these same claims months ago, hired independent investigators to look into them, and determined that not only are they false but that the person (a former terminated employee) raising them had fabricated email and text messages in order to shake the agency down,” the assertion mentioned.

It continued: “APA refused to pay the money and months ago sued the former employee in arbitration for extortion and defamation. We believe she is now retaliating against APA and its agents through this frivolous public complaint in which she hides her identity. We are confident that this former employee, now on her fourth attorney, will not succeed with her scheme of extortion. We intend to take all appropriate legal action against her and her newest counsel.”

Doe’s legal professional, Michael S. Popok, famous that his shopper had taken the particular step of submitting a verification kind together with her lawsuit, pledging to the truthfulness of her accusations, beneath penalty of perjury.

“That stands in contrast to the statement made by APA,” he mentioned.

The company’s shoppers embody Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Gary Oldman.

Doe mentioned that Josh Humiston, an APA companion and the top of its music division, despatched her undesirable sexual texts, together with one which mentioned, “If you f— me I’ll convince Jim to pay you more money.” She mentioned the reference was to Jim Gosnell, CEO of the company. Her lawsuit’s proof included what she mentioned was a printout of the textual content.

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She additionally mentioned Paul Santana, vp of APA’s expertise division, made sexual remarks. Her proof included one other printout of what she mentioned had been textual content exchanges with Santana, wherein he’s proven to say, “You make me so horny” and tries to influence her to go together with him on a weekend getaway the place he “could finally live out these fantasies I have for you.”

The printout exhibits that she replied: “PAUL STOP! I want you to stop NOW. You’re married and this is not wanted.”

She additionally mentioned that APA investigated her accusations towards Santana, however that Gosnell instructed her to have “memory loss.” And she mentioned an investigator trying into her Santana accusations minimize her off when she tried to complain about Humiston.

Doe additionally mentioned she spent two years as Gosnell’s assistant, and that in that point he referred to as her a “b—” and “f—ing c—,” and threw a stapler and trash can at her.

The lawsuit claims sexual harassment, gender violence, civil harassment, intentional infliction of emotional misery, negligent infliction of emotional misery, negligent retention and supervision, retaliation, wrongful termination and sexual battery. It names APA, Gosnell, Santana, Humiston, and Michael Hammond, the producer she accused of assault, as defendants.

Hammond didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Wednesday.

Doe, who says she has been unable to get work in Hollywood since her…