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COURTS Woman files sexual harassment lawsuit against Ashland Elks Former events coordinator seeks $375,000 Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 20, 2016 at 12:16 PM Updated Apr 20, 2016 at 7:41 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 20, 2016 at 12:16 PM Updated Apr 20, 2016 at 7:41 PM » Social News A woman has sued the Ashland Elks Lodge for $375,000, saying officials dismissed her concerns and then retaliated when she reported the lodge's cook repeatedly sexually harassed her. Ashland resident and Elks member Victoria Lane filed the lawsuit in Jackson County Circuit Court in February. She said in the lawsuit she worked for the Elks full time as an events coordinator from 2011 until Feb. 4, 2015, earning $100 per month before her termination. An attorney for the Ashland Elks filed a response to the lawsuit this month, arguing Lane has no grounds to sue because she was a volunteer events coordinator, not a paid staff member. She was paid $100 monthly as reimbursement for her expenses, according to the response. As for the sexual harassment claims, the Elks' attorney said in the response that Lane "made a number of vague and unspecified accusations and instigated unfounded rumors but she failed to substantiate those accusations." In her lawsuit, Lane said her supervisor, Fred Hatfield, hired his friend Jim Potter to work as the cook for the Elks. Lane is suing Hatfield along with the Ashland Elks Lodge. Lawyer Richard Hunt, who is representing the lodge and Hatfield, said, "We are intending to vigorously defend this lawsuit. There is no merit to the allegations in the lawsuit." He said all questions should be directed to him, not the lodge or Hatfield. "We're going to address this in court, not the newspaper or the media," Hunt said. Lane alleged that Potter engaged in behavior that included grabbing her, trying to kiss her, leering at her breasts and buttocks, and rubbing against her and making remarks such as, "Was that as good for you as it was for me?" Lane claims Potter also engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior toward a female bartender and some of the Elks volunteers. When Lane verbally discouraged Potter's advances, he would make remarks such as, "I'm only teasing," and "Oh, I did not mean to offend you," according to Lane's lawsuit. A longtime female Elks member who asked to remain anonymous said Potter is a very outgoing, gregarious person, but she has not seen him sexually harass women. "When he sees you, he gives you hugs and compliments. I've known him for years," she said. "He's an old-school individual who still calls you, 'Honey.' There's nothing sexual. He treats everyone the same. Most of us love him. There's no harm in his behavior." Lane claimed in her lawsuit Hatfield joined Potter in the inappropriate behavior and remarks, including a comment about licking her. Hatfield declined to comment about the allegations in the lawsuit. Lane said she was also uncomfortable about what she called a sexually explicit painting of a teenage girl in the lodge. She said sexually explicit burlesque shows were put on by the Elks and she repeatedly complained and said the shows violated Elk statutes. In 2012, the Ashland Elks Lodge hosted fundraising shows by Speakeasy and the Silhouettes, a "new burlesque troop (sic) here in Ashland," according to the Ashland Elks December 2012 newsletter. Hatfield and another Elks member not being sued were listed as the contacts for ticket sales in the newsletter. Lane said that from early 2012 into 2015 she repeatedly reported sexual harassment in the workplace to Hatfield and the Elks' trustees. Lane said the Elks formed a sexual harassment committee, which included female members, in 2014, but nothing was done about Potter's behavior. The lawsuit alleges her reports about Potter's actions "only provoked an escalation of his inappropriate behavior and attitude toward her." Lane said Elks officials and some members began to shun her, and she was advised by various Elks officials to quit her post as events coordinator, avoid Potter or file a report. In December 2014, Elks officials met and concluded she was making false allegations of sexual harassment, the lawsuit states. She was terminated as the events coordinator Feb. 4, 2015, according to the lawsuit. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Apr. 20, 2016 at 12:16 PM Updated Apr 20, 2016 at 7:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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