A former employee has taken legal action against a company, alleging serious misconduct in the workplace. Gabrielle Smith filed a complaint against ModWash, LLC on October 15, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The complaint accuses ModWash of allowing sexual harassment and gender discrimination to occur within its organization.
According to the details outlined in the complaint, Gabrielle Smith began working for ModWash as a Guest Experience Team Member on February 21, 2023. At that time, she was underage and completing her final year of high school. During her employment at ModWash's Pittsburgh location on William Penn Highway, Smith alleges that her supervisor and trainer, Alvin Minor, engaged in persistent sexual harassment. The allegations include inappropriate comments such as "If you weren’t so young I would do [sexual] things with you," which made Smith feel uncomfortable and unsafe at work.
Smith reported these incidents to her general manager Andrew Erickson in May 2023 and requested not to be scheduled with Minor. Despite an initial agreement to separate their shifts, Minor allegedly continued to harass Smith by showing up during her shifts unannounced. This led to further distress for Smith, who felt compelled to leave work early or call off entirely when Minor was present.
The situation escalated on June 29, 2023, when Minor reportedly acted aggressively towards Smith during a shift. Feeling threatened by his behavior, she contacted both the shift manager and her brother for assistance. Following this incident, it was alleged that Minor returned to work with a gun after being sent home—a claim that intensified Smith's fear for her safety.
Smith contends that ModWash failed to address the harassment adequately or provide a safe working environment despite multiple reports of misconduct. She claims that after reporting these issues again on July 3, 2023, she faced retaliation from ModWash in the form of suspension without pay and ultimately being removed from the schedule altogether.
The lawsuit seeks judgment against ModWash for damages amounting to less than $50,000. It requests compensation for lost wages and benefits due to what is described as unlawful termination following complaints about discrimination and harassment. Additionally, Smith seeks punitive damages reflecting emotional distress caused by these events.
Representing Gabrielle Smith is attorney Rachel L. McElroy from McElroy Law Firm LLC based in Pittsburgh. The case is presided over by judges from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County under Case ID d79e081777c32e0ad4b0dacb4d4ce245938f7557.