NEWS RELEASE: Avakian files complaint against Stars Cabaret for sex discrimination and harassment of minors

[Burr, Charlie]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2015
CONTACT:           Charlie Burr, BOLI, (971) 673-0788

Avakian files complaint against Stars Cabaret for sex discrimination and harassment of minors
BOLI will investigate allegations of sex harassment, failure to take corrective action

PORTLAND, OR-Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian has filed a commissioner's complaint against Stars Cabaret in Beaverton alleging sexual harassment of minors, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) announced today.
An agency investigation will determine whether the company subjected vulnerable minors to conditions of employment that constituted sexual harassment under Oregon law.
The commissioner's complaint includes charges that the company failed to take appropriate corrective action to address workplace discrimination and harassment. The charges also allege that during the period from July to September 2014-after police had arrested one of Stars' managers on charges of sexual abuse and compelling prostitution of a minor-the club employed another female under 16 years of age.
"No worker-especially a minor-should ever have to face sexual harassment or abuse as a condition of employment," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "If other workers believe that they've being treated unfairly, they should contact our investigators. A Commissioner's Complaint can shield the identity of vulnerable workers who fear retaliation and ensure aggressive prosecution if we find evidence of wrongdoing."
Oregon law empowers the labor commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the people of Oregon when the commissioner has reason to believe an unlawful practice, such as employment discrimination based on sex, has occurred. The Stars complaint is the seventh commissioner's complaint filed by Avakian.
Commissioner's complaints can be a valuable enforcement tool when vulnerable employees express fear of retaliation. Workers can start the complaint process by filing with the Civil Rights Division at crdemail at boli.state.or.us<mailto:crdemail at boli.state.or.us> or by calling (971) 673-0764.
A previous commissioner's complaint against Daimler Trucks North America resulted in a record $2.4 million civil rights settlement earlier this year, the largest in the agency's history.
Copies of the commissioner's complaint are public documents available on the agency's website here<http://www.oregon.gov/boli/SiteAssets/pages/press/Commissioner%27s%20Complaint_Stars%20%28Freehoo%29.pdf>.

Visit www.oregon.gov/BOLI<http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI> for more information about all of BOLI's work to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination.

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Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 1045
Portland, Oregon  97232
Tel:  971-673-0788
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