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Woman Awarded Over $3 Million in Yet Another Sexual Harassment Suit Against Hollywood Exec Jon Peters
Photo by Melissa Acedera via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
"Superman Returns" producer Jon Peters is being ordered to pay more than $3 million in a sexual harassment suit brought by a former employee.
Shelly Morita, a personal assistant to the stars, claimed that the Hollywood executive created a hostile workplace, CBS LA reports.
She testified during the trial that during the year she worked for Peters he jumped into bed with her on business trip in Sydney, made suggestive comments and rubbed her thighs while she made business calls. Once he dropped trou in front of her and another time her tried to give her a bear hug...naked.
Morita said that although she had a stellar record working for stars like Jennifer Aniston, Pamela Anderson, Marisa Tomei and Justine Bateman, she has had trouble finding work since she filed her suit against Peters. She chalks this up to the sway that the executive holds in industry circles.
The jury awarded her $2.5 million in punitive damages, as well as $822,000 in damages and back pay in the suit filed in 2006.
This isn't the first time Peters has been sued for sexual harassment. In 2008, he was sued by a male co-worker for touching him or touching himself. Back in 2007, a maid claimed he tried to touch her breasts and push her onto his bed while he was naked.
Before that, a husband-and-wife pair who worked as servants at Peters' Malibu beach house said they were fired when the wife became pregnant and refused to get an abortion.
Peters has produced several films, including “A Star Is Born,” ‘’Flashdance,” ‘’The Color Purple,” ‘’Batman” and “Rain Man.”
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Peters, a former hairdresser, was reportedly the inspiration for "Shampoo," starring Warren Beatty.
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