Lawsuit Accuses Calif. Company of Sex Harassment

Federal officials have filed a lawsuit against a California electric company alleging it allowed discrimination and sexual harassment of female employees.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against the Bakersfield-based Braun Electric Company alleging that for the past two years a male manager at Braun subjected female workers to explicit sexual comments and gestures about his sexual fantasies, and asked them to perform sex acts.

The suit alleges the company also violated the Civil Rights Act by ignoring reports of harassment and failed to adequately prevent and correct the misconduct. The agency says at least one female employee was forced to quit as a result.

Braun Electric provides electrical services for the oil and gas industry throughout the San Joaquin Valley.