Dallas Business Lawyer Blog

Lawyer Awarded On Defamation Claim Against Former Employee - Dallas, Texas

A jury awarded $1.25 million to an attorney on his countersuit against a former paralegal who accused him of sexual harassment. Allison Moreno sued Ostly, Murphy & Vu LLP — now known as Murphy, Vu, Thongsamouth, Chatterjee LLP — alleging that attorney Thomas Ostly sexually harassed her and wrongfully terminated her in 2006. She claimed that Ostly made unwanted sexual advances toward her and fired her after she ended their intimate relationship. Ostly contended that they had a consensual relationship and that Moreno voluntarily resigned when it ended. After Moreno filed suit, Ostly cross-complained against her for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.

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Judge Awards 53k For Failure to Pay Overtime

 

A judge awarded $53,297 to a gas station attendant who alleged she was never paid overtime despite working more than 80 hours per week. Rabia Detho claimed she worked at Raceway, a Houston-area gas station owned by Asia and Sheikh Mohammed Bilal, from Jan. 8 until April 5, 2007. During her four months of employment, Detho contended she worked 12- to 15-hour shifts, seven days a week, but never received more than her regular $8-an-hour pay, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The defense argued Detho only worked at the station for two weeks and didn't work more than 36 hours in either week.