Montco business sued over co-owner's alleged sexual harassment of Pa. woman

A former front desk coordinator at an Eagleville, Pa. company has filed an assault and battery complaint against a Montgomery County business over claims that the unwanted sexual advances of the defendant’s proprietor ultimately caused her to leave her job and experience ongoing emotional trauma.

Sarah Reilly, who resides in Westtown, Chester County, is suing Royersford, Pa.-based Protex Cleaning and Restoration Inc. over allegations that one of its co-owners, identified as Richard Greco, came onto the plaintiff after he visited her former place of employment.

Greco, the suit states, was at the plaintiff's place of work for an alarm code training back on May 6, 2011.

While at the location, Greco proceeded to show the plaintiff cellphone photos of his genitalia, the lawsuit states.

The man also grabbed the plaintiff’s buttocks and breasts at one point during the encounter, the complaint alleges.

Greco’s alleged sexual advances continued, with the man making crude comments to Reilly, and stating that he would like to engage in sexual activity with her despite the fact that the plaintiff was married, the suit states.

Exactly one month later, Reilly filed a criminal complaint against Greco, who subsequently pleaded guilty and received two years of probation, according to the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Reilly feared for her safety because Greco knew where she worked; the plaintiff ultimately left her job after suffering from severe emotional stress and trauma.

Reilly was also unable to engage in sexual relations with her husband because of the trauma she experienced, the lawsuit states.

“Plaintiff therefore avers that under the circumstances, her resignation and mental pain was due to Defendant Greco’s inappropriate sexual conduct and communication,” the complaint says.

The lawsuit contains counts of assault and battery; intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress; and negligent hiring, retention and supervision.

Reilly seeks unspecified economic damages, non-economic compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and court costs, and she seeks declaratory judgment enjoining and restraining the violations by the defendant.

The suit was filed Oct. 15 at Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court by Haddonfield, N.J. attorney Harris C. Legome.

 

The case ID number is 121001790.