Worker Says Boss|Led Her a Dog’s Life

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CN) - A woman claims in court that FishNet Security fired her for complaining that her boss texted her a photo of a dog with a hard-on.

Genene Mullins sued FishNet Security and William Croutch Jr., in Jackson County Court. Mullins claims Fishnet fired her on Dec. 2, 2011, shortly after she complained of Croutch's harassment.

Mullins says she worked as a "legal specialist," and Croutch was director of the legal contract department at FishNet.

"On November 7, 2011 at 1:23 a.m., Croutch sent Mullins an unsolicited text message that depicted a photograph of his dog with an erect penis from his company-issued cell phone," the complaint states.

"Crouch did not direct his comments or conduct toward any of his male employees."

That's not the only harassment she suffered from Croutch, Mullins say. She claims he told her "you are too overbearing for a woman" and "you need to be more sensitive to the men's needs."

Mullins claims that when she asked Croutch why a younger, male employee with less experience got a bigger raise than she did, and a promotion, "Croutch responded 'he knows a few more people around the office and goes to happy hour,' or words to that effect."

After she complained about the dog penis photo, Mullins says, Croutch retaliated by, among other things, "Throwing a contract folder at Ms. Mullins and stating, 'so this is how you want to do it?'"

Mullins seeks actual and punitive damages for gender discrimination, retaliation, unequal pay and assault and battery. She is represented by Randi Helms, with Case & Roberts.

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