A woman who says she is a former employee of the Millersville-based roofing company PAX Services Group alleges in a federal lawsuit that the company’s chairman drugged her, sexually assaulted her, used racist and misogynistic language and fired her in retaliation for rejecting his advances.
The suit alleges that the chief executive officer engaged in sexual misconduct as well.
The woman is named as Jane Doe in the suit, filed Nov. 25 in the Southern District of New York.
Mike Gowl, executive chairman and president at PAX Services Group, is named in the lawsuit along with the company, CEO Michael Wade and their private equity owner New State Capital Partners based in Larchmont, New York. The suit also names subsidiary companies, alleging that the defendants acted together as joint employers.
Gowl did not respond Monday to two voicemails seeking comment. The Capital Gazette reached Wade, who said he would follow up; he did not respond to a later voicemail.
Both companies take claims of this nature seriously and categorically deny any suggestion that they condoned any alleged misconduct, according to statements from New State Capital spokesperson Ed Trissel and PAX Services Group spokesperson Zach Genirs.
Trissel also said the plaintiff has never been employed by either company.
The lawsuit alleges that Gowl employed her through another company he was the principal owner of, Coastal Pools, which the plaintiff argues was used to shield the companies from liability.
The lawsuit alleges that Gowl drugged, raped and assaulted the plaintiff multiple times at work events. It alleges that Wade harassed the plaintiff as well.
The plaintiff, represented by Joseph & Norinsberg LLC, claims Gowl used racial slurs, made misogynistic comments about employees, and sent sexually explicit messages to colleagues and business associates.
Both executives are accused of cultivating what the lawsuit calls a “‘Mad Men’-style pre-Civil Rights Act culture.” The companies are accused of enabling Gowl’s and Wade’s conduct.
The suit alleges that when Doe, who was in the process of becoming a citizen and needed to remain employed, asked Gowl to stop the behavior, he retaliated by firing her.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for sexual assault, racial and gender discrimination, retaliation and emotional distress under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law.
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