Four Women Sue Papa Murphy's Restaurant In Martinez After Being Secretly Videotaped
MARTINEZ (KCBS) – Four women are suing a Papa Murphy's restaurant in Martinez, the franchise restaurant owner and their former boss, after they were secretly videotaped in the employee restroom.
According to the Contra Costa Times, the lawsuit was filed last week, with the women claiming negligent supervision, training and retention, along with invasion of privacy, sex discrimination, harassment and other workplace violations. An attorney for the women said they are still feeling "severe emotional distress."
Jason Lassor, the former manager at the Papa Murphy's on 1155 Arnold Dr., pleaded guilty in February to one felony count of child pornography and a misdemeanor unlawful electronic video recording charge. He was sentenced to 120 days in county jail and served the time on electronic home detention.
The women claim they had suspicions Lassor was secretly filming them in the unisex bathroom. The lawsuit claims that in late 2012, one of the woman noticed a cardboard box with holes cut out, but found nothing inside. She shared concerns of being filmed with her co-workers.
In early 2013, a woman claimed she found a camera in the cardboard box. It was dropped off to Martinez police and Lassor was arrested later that day.
The claim alleges that Lassor eventually admitted to police that he had placed the camera in the restroom.
A review of the videotapes showed the female employees being taped while using the toilet and while they undressed. Three of the women quit their jobs after the camera was found; one had already left.
Papa Murphy's corporate offices have not commented on the lawsuit.
