SPENCER DRILLER FILES SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUIT

(02/16/2006)
A West Virginia oil and natural gas company is accused of failing to take action against a male employee who allegedly sexually harassed his co-worker.

A federal lawsuit filed in Charleston this week, alleges an employee of Cherokee Drilling discussed oral sex with another male worker, grabbing him and suggesting they have sex.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Philadelphia office filed the lawsuit on behalf of 43-year-old Denzil Mace of Spencer.

The suit alleges the company is maintaining a sexually hostile work environment in violation of the Civil Rights Act.

Mace allegedly complained about his co-worker's behavior from October 2004 until June 2005, reportedly with little response.

The lawsuit also accuses Cherokee Operations Manager Lonny Armstrong of retaliating against Mace because of his complaints by offering him employment at another location for a lower wage.