Local nonprofit veterans organization and CEO held liable for sexual harassment

WENATCHEE, Washington – A jury found a nonprofit veterans organization and its founder and CEO guilty of sexually harassing 12 women.

The jury ordered the defendants to pay nearly $1.5 million to the victims as part of the lawsuit.

The office of Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thelbert “Thad” Lawson Jr. discriminated against and harassed 12 women who worked at Operation Veterans Assistance & Humanitarian Aid’s two thrift stores: the Veterans Warehouse Thrift Store in Wenatchee and the Veterans Thrift Store in Kennewick.

Ferguson said the harassment included “offensive and unwanted touching, sexually charged comments and inappropriate requests for sex.” Lawson also retaliated against employees who complained.

The Attorney General’s Office also said Lawson harassed five members of the public, including volunteers and customers at the two stores.

Lawson was found guilty of assault in 2021 for “rubbing his body against a person without their consent” and spent 75 days in jail.

Ferguson’s office filed the lawsuit in February 2022.

“What happened at OVAHA is abhorrent, inexcusable and illegal,” Ferguson said. “I want to thank the workers, volunteers and members of the public for their courage in speaking out. My team fought for them and together we won.”

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