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Friday, March 29, 2024

Former housekeeper files suit against Ramada accusing supervisor of sexual assault

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SCRANTON – A former housekeeper for the Ramada hotel chain recently filed a lawsuit against the company and the franchise operator of the Ramada by Wyndham in Hazelton alleging she was sexually assaulted by one of her supervisors.

The housekeeper, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit March 12 against Ramada Worldwide Inc., Hazelton First Inc., Hazelton Hospitality LP and Last Call Paul LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania claiming sex discrimination, a hostile work environment, rape and negligent hire, supervision and retention.

Doe, employed as a housekeeper at the Ramada by Wyndham in Hazelton, claimed  she "was raped and subjected to other sexual assaults at work," the court filing said.

"In 2013, plaintiff was hired as a housekeeper at the Ramada Hazelton," when, about four years later, her manager, Pratap Bonepalli, "directed plaintiff to clean the guest room in which he was living" when he "locked the door behind her" after entering the room, court filings said.

"Manager Bonepalli then approached plaintiff from behind and forcibly grabbed her chest with one hand," court filings said. "Manager Bonepalli then used his other hand to pull down his own pants and masturbating by touching his own genitalia. 

"Plaintiff was able to see clearly what manager Bonepalli was doing because there was a mirror in the room. Plaintiff tried to call out for help, but manager Bonepalli put his hand over her mouth. After manager Bonapalli stopped masturbating, he directed plaintiff not to tell anyone what happened and exited the room, leaving plaintiff in the room crying."

Doe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest, attorneys' fees, costs, and a jury trial.

Doe is being represented by Edwards and Liz Chacko of Justice at Work of Philadelphia. No judge has been assigned yet.

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case No. 3:19-cv-00434-MEM

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