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Former Playboy TV Operator Alleges Sexual Harassment

LOS ANGELES (CN) - The former master-control operator for Playboy television says Playboy employees sexually harassed her, made fun of her life-saving surgeries, and ended up firing her without cause during her recovery.

Julie Crouch says two fellow employees, Chere Johnson and Charles Dorn, made her six years at Playboy a nightmare. Dorn allegedly started the sexual harassment, groping Crouch and asking her how much she would charge him to have sex with her, among other things.

According to the lawsuit, on one occasion, Dorn asked Crouch why "women always try to swindle men out of their money." Crouch replied "Well, we don't, there is a reason why I am here right now working, because I kind of like having my own money." But Dorn insisted, "No, you are all prostitutes in some way." Then Dorn stood so close to Crouch, that he spat in her face as he yelled, "Fuck you bitch, you are all the same!"

Johnson, their supervisor, allegedly refused to discipline Dorn, telling Crouch to "fight her own battles."

Playboy human resources employees also refused to take action, the lawsuit claims.

Crouch says Johnson harassed her incessantly about several surgeries. After Crouch underwent six chest surgeries where doctors tried to find a "microscopic organism," she says Johnson forced her to return to work with drainage tubes in her chest and accused her of "milking the system" to try to get more time off. That move inspired Crouch's doctor to ask, "Do you want to work, or do you want to live?" according to the complaint.

Johnson allegedly forced Crouch to wait before undergoing a back surgery in an attempt to fire her before the surgery date. Crouch claims that Johnson wanted to take away her medical insurance before the surgery date.

After a surgery to remove a tumor from Crouch's uterus, Johnson allegedly required Crouch to return to work before her doctor wanted her to return, threatening to fire Crouch for her extended absence.

Six months later, Playboy fired Crouch, claiming it was eliminating her position, but then offered her former job to one of Crouch's friends, the lawsuit claims.

Mark Valencia is representing Crouch in Superior Court.

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