Owner of Kennewick veterans’ nonprofit fined $1.5 million after sexually assaulting 12 women | News

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The CEO of a nonprofit veterans organization in Wenatchee and Kennewick has been fined $1.5 million for sexually assaulting 12 women.

Thelbert Lawson, Jr., owner and CEO of the Veterans Warehouse Thrift Store in Wenatchee and the Veterans Thrift Store in Kennewick, According to a lawsuit filed by the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, 12 women who worked, volunteered or shopped at the stores were discriminated against and harassed.

The lawsuit, filed in February 2022 in Chelan County Superior Court, alleges that Lawson suffered ongoing harassment, including offensive and unwanted touching, sexually charged comments, inappropriate requests for sex, and retaliation against employees.

According to the Attorney General’s Office Lawson harassed seven employees at a thrift store, touching them in an offensive and unwanted manner and regularly making comments and asking questions about the employees’ sex lives.

According to a press release from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the case, Lawson is also alleged to have sexually harassed or assaulted volunteers and members of the public who shopped at the thrift stores.

A jury found that the harassment of employees and the public violated Washington state anti-discrimination laws. based on sex, including severe, pervasive and unwanted sexual behaviour.

On 6 June According to the Attorney General’s Office, the jury awarded the 12 women $1.45 million in damages and the workers $17,267.50 in back wages.

The entire amount awarded in the settlement will benefit the victims of the harassment.