Largest Sexual Harrassment Award ever
Ashley Alford won the award, which includes $15 million in compensatory damages and $80 million in punitive damages, from a federal court jury that found Aaron’s Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a rent-to-own company, liable for the abuse she suffered while working at its Fairview Heights, Ill., furniture store.
The harassment allegedly culminated in October 2006 with the store manager, Richard Moore, flinging Alford to the floor of the store, lifting her sweatshirt and masturbating over her while he pinned her down. He is now awaiting trial on a charge of criminal sexual abuse.
Aaron’s, which is based in Atlanta, conceded nothing after the verdict. “We feel strongly that this verdict is the result of a decision made by a classic runaway jury,” Chad Strickland, vice president of associate resources, said.
But the company only has itself to blame. Alford called Aaron’s “Non-Discrimination and Harassment Hotline” six months before Moore allegedly assaulted her. And a district manager only told Moore to “watch [his] back” after, in a violation of company policy, questioning Alford in his presence.
