Veteran files suit alleging employee strips down naked in workplace

Lisa Cole, a four-year Air force veteran has been out of work for months.

After she said The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Texas and The American Legion, Department of Texas neglected to address sexual harassment concerns in the workplace.

The veteran service organizations are separate but housed in the same building. Cole said she was employed as a secretary for The American Legion Auxiliary for six months.

She said when she worked late hours and used the common area she would encounter a naked employee. "On several occasions I encountered a totally naked individual that works for The American Legion," Cole said. "Total naked, running around in the common area."

Cole claims she communicated her distress to her chain of command but the problem persisted and the only change made was in her employment status. "Two days later my concerns were met with you're not a good fit and they let me go," said Cole.

Cole's troubles with the organization's didn't end there she's filed a complaint against The American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Texas and The American Legion, Department of Texas for more than 263 uncompensated overtime hours.

TAL Judge Advocate, Dan Corbin said the organization has been litigating Cole's wages claim with the Texas Workforce Commission and has held hearings in her case. He said they are currently waiting to hear back from a judge on the ruling.

However, Corbin said he has yet to see the lawsuit and cannot comment at the time.

Cole's attorney Holy Lackey with Ellwanger Law said he and his client are suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and premises liability.

"Nobody should be subjected to nudity without their consent," Lackey said. "Particularly for an institution like that there needs to be accountability and there needs to be a chain of command that takes sexual harassment seriously."