A young woman who worked as a liquor attendant at a posh Southern California golf club is suing the establishment, claiming she suffered years of sexual harassment and assault from both wealthy members and some male employees.
Peyton Stover, 26, of Long Beach worked for two years at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, Orange County, where she served drinks to golfers on the links, who often fondled them and asked them to lift their shirts.
After she complained to her supervisor James Poper and club manager Mitchel Queen, they effectively defended the behavior on the grounds that the golfers paid a premium to become a member of the club.
The club’s dues are believed to be nearly $5,000 per year after a joining fee of up to $10,000.
In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court, Stover alleges the club condoned such behavior and placed profits ahead of legal obligations to its employees.
Peyton Stover, 26, a former drinks server at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, California, is suing the club for over $15 million
Stover’s lawsuit alleges that Stover’s golfers routinely subjected Stover to sexual harassment and assault for two years and provided her with drugs and alcohol. In the picture the clubhouse
After complaining to her supervisor James Poper and club manager Mitchel Queen, pictured, they effectively defended the behavior on the grounds that the golfers paid a premium to become a member of the club
In the lawsuit, filed by the Orange County Register, Stover alleges golfers routinely touched her and gave her alcohol and drugs before later sending her sexually explicit text messages — all with management approval.
Golfers had their numbers after placing drink orders at the 128-acre course. After her games ended, members continued to send her sexually explicit messages, asking to see her breasts.
Stover accuses Poper of telling her that objectification made her more money and that the club members could treat the staff however they wanted without consequences because of the membership dues they paid.
‘[Stover] understood that members were permitted to do as they pleased with Old Ranch employees, without retroactive or recourse, and that Old Ranch condoned, ratified, and even encouraged such behavior as part of its business model in order to make a profit,” it reads in the lawsuit.
Stover alleges that she was sexually harassed, beaten and assaulted by a club member, but her complaints were ignored.
Stover’s lawsuit alleges that the Old Ranch Country Club condoned such behavior and placed its profits above its legal obligations to its employees
Stover began working for the club in April 2019 after relocating to Southern California from Washington state
She also alleges that Poper himself also contributed to the harassment by sending her sexually explicit messages, including one asking what color underwear she was wearing.
The lawsuit describes how, when Stover brought Queen’s complaints to the attention of Queen, he confirmed that Poper had sexually harassed other female employees but took no further action to stop him.
“Queen only confirmed on each occasion that he knew Poper had sexually harassed other female employees at Old Ranch and that his behavior was creepy. However, he took no action against Poper to end this behavior,” the lawsuit reads.
Stover began working for the club in April 2019 after relocating to Southern California from Washington state.
One golfer allegedly offered to pay Stover $300 to see her breasts, lifted her shirt in front of other club members and forced them to drink by pinning her against a golf cart and pouring alcohol on her
Stover provided drinks to golfers on the links, who often groped them and asked them to lift their shirts
As part of her duties, in addition to providing refreshments for players, she was tasked with building relationships and helping retain club members.
But the warnings were already there when, during the interview, Poper asked her if she had “thick skin” and if she could “shut up.”
She was even allegedly verbally warned by the former drinks attendant that male members of the club would hit on her and try to force her to drink alcohol.
‘[Stover] I wasn’t sure what to make of those comments at the time and just brushed them off,” says the suit.
Months after starting her job, Stover claims to have been sexually harassed, abused and assaulted by one of the golfers.
In the attack, she was grabbed, pushed onto a golf cart, and sexually bent, all without consent.
‘[Stover] felt that any further complaint about club members would ultimately fall on deaf ears and result in retaliation – including termination – as the atmosphere was that club members’ desires outweighed the legal obligations to their employees,” the lawsuit reads.
One member tried to persuade Stover to start a sex toy business, sending her numerous articles and advertisements for sex toys
Another club member is accused of sending Stover explicit text messages, kissing her, throwing money at her and asking to move into a guest bedroom above his garage
The club’s dues are believed to be nearly $5,000 per year after a joining fee of up to $10,000
“I was really scared and nervous, I had no support and I was convinced that they wouldn’t do anything,” she told the Southern California News Group.
Stover explains how she felt powerless in the situation because she needed the job and had no choice but to continue working at the club.
She described various examples of male members crossing boundaries with her in a suit, including how a man allegedly displayed inappropriate behavior towards her for eight months.
The member is accused of flirting with Stover, touching her legs and back without her consent, kissing her and constantly texting her while she was at work.
The member also tried to persuade Stover to start a sex toy business, sending her numerous sex toy articles and ads.
Another club member is accused of sending Stover explicit text messages, kissing her, throwing money at her and asking to move into a guest bedroom above his garage.
Stover eventually resigned from the club and fell into a depression. He turned to alcohol to escape the trauma of abuse. Today she works as a yoga teacher
A third allegedly offered to pay Stover $300 to see her breasts, lifted her shirt in front of other club members and forced her to drink by pinning her against a golf car and pouring alcohol over her.
An attorney representing Stover said his client did not come forward earlier because she feared retaliation and would be victimized again.
“It’s bloody outrageous. As a manager, you must protect employees and investigate complaints. The at [the club] failed miserably and has actually doubled in size,” said attorney Raymond Babaian.
The complaint seeks compensation for underwage and other wage and hour violations, and compensation for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, negligent hiring and restraint, intentional infliction of emotional distress and more.
Stover eventually resigned from the club and fell into a depression. He turned to alcohol to escape the trauma of abuse. Today she works as a yoga teacher.
reached out to Stover for comment but received no response.