aussiefree2ride wrote on Aug 4
th, 2010 at 11:06am:
Equitist wrote on Aug 4
th, 2010 at 10:19am:
Moreover, he has the look of an egotistical sleeze in his eyes and manner - and I seriously doubt that she's his first (or last) victim. Let's face it, she's not so special herself...
Equitist, I`d like to pass on a hopefully helpfill hint. You don`t do your credability ay good by this type of comment. Re the topic at hand, this case is aother example of a neurotic over reaction, totally stupid, and counter productive.
You can stick your hint where you like - because I stand by my overall character observations arising from the footage I have seen of
BOTH him and her...
I warm to neither - but he's an obvious candidate for sleaze of the year!
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201008/r611884_4048870.asxhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/02/2971036.htm Quote:David Jones faces $37m sex misconduct suit
By finance reporter Lexi Metherell
Updated Mon Aug 2, 2010 5:05pm AEST
PreviousNextSlideshow: Photo 1 of 2
If successful, Ms Fraser-Kirk wants the money to go a charity helping people in the area of sexual harassment and bullying.
If successful, Ms Fraser-Kirk wants the money to go a charity helping people in the area of sexual harassment and bullying. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
David Jones and its former chief executive, Mark McInnes, are being sued for about $37 million over allegations of sexual misconduct.
A series of allegations against Mr McInnes are outlined in a statement of claim to the Federal Court.
These include allegations of repeated unwanted kisses, touching, and text messages from Mr McInnes towards five employees, including Kristy Fraser-Kirk, who worked in the marketing department.
Ms Fraser-Kirk says the first incident involving her happened on May 23, 2010 at a lunch hosted by David Jones.
She alleges Mr McInnes urged her to try a dessert at the event by describing it as, "like a bugger in the mouth".
She also says he placed his hand under her clothing to the point where it touched her bra strap, and made repeated requests for her to come to Bondi (where Mr McInnes lives) with the implication the visit would be for the purpose of sexual intercourse.
The statement of claim alleges Mr McInnes also lifted her off the ground while repeating the request for her to come to Bondi with him.
It is alleged all these events happened in public view of other David Jones employees.
Ms Fraser-Kirk says when she reported the first incident, she was told that Mr McInnes had behaved in a similar way at a Caulfield Cup event in 2009.
She alleges the general manager of David Jones public relations told her, "next time that happens, you just need to be very clear and say 'no Mark' and he'll back off".
She also alleges that in the following days she received a series of email messages from Mr McInnes repeating his invitation for Ms Fraser-Kirk to join him at his Bondi home.
Ms Fraser-Kirk says she then told her supervisor that she did not want to attend another function at which Mr McInnes was going to be present because she was worried about further sexual advances.
However, Ms Fraser-Kirk says David Jones required her to attend a function on June 7 at a house in Rose Bay.
She alleges that during, or just after the function, Mr McInnes again repeatedly asked her to accompany him to Bondi.
Ms Fraser-Kirk says he tried to kiss her on the mouth while grabbing her around the waist, and then tried to kiss her while putting his hand under the front of her clothes to the bottom of her bra while she turned her head and pulled away to try and avoid the contact.
She says she repeatedly told Mr McInnes not to touch her or kiss her, and also used a taxi door as a barrier.
She says he later invited her to dinner by saying, "I could have had guaranteed sex with that brunette last night [at the June 7 function] but I wanted you".
After a further advance by text message, Ms Fraser-Kirk says she reported Mr McInnes's continued conduct to the public relations manager on June 9.
Mr McInnes resigned as David Jones chief executive on June 18.
The claim says Ms Fraser-Kirk has suffered damages to her personal and professional reputation as a result.
She is seeking punitive damages of 5 per cent of the profit generated by David Jones from 2003 to 2010 and 5 per cent of Mr McInnes's salary.
If successful, Ms Fraser-Kirk wants the money to go a charity helping people in the area of sexual harassment and bullying.
Ms Fraser-Kirk held a short media conference where she announced that she is setting up a help line for any other women at David Jones who may feel they have been subjected to inappropriate behaviour.
"This has been a devastating period in my life - for me personally, for my professional career, and for the effect that it is having on my family and my friends," she said.
"I am a young woman standing here today simply because I said it wasn't OK. Because I said that this should never happen to me or to anyone. I just wanted to be treated with respect."
She declined to take questions as the case is before the court.
The company has issued a statement saying both it and its directors will be defending the claims against them "vigorously".
It has also reaffirmed its profit guidance despite the $37 million claim...