Ex-MCPS security guard sues school system, accuses female principal of sexual harassment
DAMASCUS, Md. Aug 13 2019 A former security guard at John T. Baker Middle School is suing Montgomery County Public Schools, alleging the female principal he reported to engaged in sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and hostile behavior.
The 12-page, federal, civil rights lawsuit — filed this May in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland — claims Dr. Louise Worthington first targeted security guard Scott Wilson in 2014.
According to a 12-page court filing, Baker Middle School Principal Dr. Louise Worthington (pictured) “made a number of unwanted sexual advances” towards the male guard.
The federal lawsuit describes one instance where Worthington stopped by Wilson’s farm after she gave a number of speeches at local elementary schools. Following a tour of the rural property, Worthington allegedly “insisted” that Wilson provide her with a sneak peak inside of his home, specifically his bedroom.
Although reluctant, Wilson stated he obliged because Worthington was his boss and had also allowed his daughter to attend Baker despite the fact that she lived outside of the school boundary lines.
“Dr. Worthington then went into Plaintiff’s bedroom, laid down on his bed and told Plaintiff that she was waiting for him,” the federal lawsuit states. “Plaintiff refused Dr. Worthington’s request to join her in bed and insisted they go back to school.”
On a different day, Worthington allegedly grabbed hold of Wilson’s keys, placed them in her underwear and walked into her private, principal’s office. Wilson “insisted” that Worthington turn over the keys. When she did, the suit claims Worthington made inappropriate comments.
In the early part of 2015, Wilson reported the alleged sexual harassment to a male supervisor who oversaw security guards for the entire Damascus-area cluster. That supervisor vowed to investigate the claims, but the federal lawsuit contends nothing was done. Instead, an offended Worthington reportedly responded by launching a retaliation campaign against Wilson.
According to the lawsuit, Worthington forced Wilson to supervise the school cafeteria solo during lunch on more than one occasion. Best practices require multiple employees oversee lunch periods, the lawsuit insinuates.
The lawsuit also notes an instance where Wilson was directed to supervise a teenage girl alone during an all-day, in-school suspension within a “closed room.” The suit argues that the optics were inappropriate.
Upon handing them back, she asked if the keys were “wet” and if they “smelled good.”
Other examples of alleged retaliation listed in the lawsuit include Worthington relocating Wilson’s office to an area adjacent to hers, plus spreading negative rumors about Wilson within the school system.
“Dr. Worthington ‘blackballed’ Plaintiff at four other schools where he attempted to gain new employment. In each instance, Plaintiff was determined to be highly qualified but after his interviews and reference checks, Plaintiff did not receive job offers,” the lawsuit claims.
In February 2017, Wilson was arrested in D.C. on charges of false impersonation of a police officer and illegal possession of a firearm. The lawsuit states that Wilson “immediately” reported the arrest to MCPS, and was instructed to continue reporting to work at Baker Middle School.
Prosecutors ultimately opted to drop both criminal charges and replaced them with a lesser count of attempted possession of an unregistered firearm. A judge sentenced Wilson to two years of unsupervised probation and issued $50 in court costs.
In May 2017, the security supervisor for the Damascus cluster reportedly notified his boss about Wilson’s sexual harassment complaint against Worthington from two years earlier. Within days, Wilson was placed on administrative leave because of his February arrest, the lawsuit states. MCPS ultimately terminated Wilson eight months later, in January 2018.
“Terminating Plaintiff from his long term position with MCPS is not only a gross overreaction to Plaintiff’s mistake and arrest, but Defendant also used the arrest as subterfuge in light of the other facts in this case, namely in retaliation for reporting Dr. Worthington’s sexual advances and harassment.”
According to lawsuit, Wilson’s years-long, “unwelcome” ordeal has diminished his “physical and mental health” resulting in depression, anxiety and fears about his children’s future.
“Due to the stress of the harassment, retaliation and cover-up, Plaintiff has gained a tremendous amount of weight which has greatly exacerbated his diabetes diagnosis. He is also alternately sleepless or lacking energy to do anything other than sleep.”
Based on its language, the lawsuit appears to be seeking $1.125 million dollars in damages from MCPS.
In a written statement, MCPS confirmed it “thoroughly investigated” Wilson’s claims and found them to be “unsubstantiated.” The school system is now preparing to file a motion aimed at dismissing the lawsuit. To that point, Worthington continues to maintain her position at Baker Middle School, a post she’s held since 2005.
WJLA
