LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- Two more lawsuits have been against former Louisville Metro Public Works Director Ted Pullen accusing him of sexual harassment and discriminating against women.
The lawsuits, filed Friday in Jefferson Circuit Court, make serious accusations against Pullen. In one lawsuit, public works employee Rebecca Thibodeaux claims Pullen "grabbed her ... and kissed her against her will" in an empty office room in November of 2010.
The lawsuit claims Pullen "apologized" but thought they both "wanted it," according to the suit. The suit also states the incident was investigated by the city's human resource officer, but that the city failed to do anything about Pullen's alleged behavior.
"Metro knew of his tendencies to discriminate based on gender and chose to do nothing for years and allowed him to work there," said attorney Nick Naiser, who represents the women suing.
In the separate lawsuit, Betty Younis, the former Facilities Management Administrator, "confronted Pullen" about his behavior. After doing so, the lawsuit claims " Pullen began to criticize Ms. Younis' work and informed Ms. Younis (her) that her job was in jeopardy."
Younis claims she was passed over for a job in favor of a white man and later fired after complaining about Pullen to human resrouces about his alleged behavior.
"It's been tough on both of them because they've had to deal with conduct that they should not have had to," said Naiser.
Pullen resigned in August of 2012. The lawsuits represent just one side. Pullen didn't answer our call or voicemail seeking comment. And there was no answer at his door.
Naiser says he tried to settle this matter out of court, but the city wasn't interested.
He claims the city knew about Pullen's alleged behavior but did nothing.
A third woman, Paula Wahl, is currently suing the city over issues involving Pullen. It's not clear if the county attorney's office is representing Pullen, although Naiser says the city has hired a private attorney.
