‘It’s a really tragic situation’: Four more former employees join $19.5 million lawsuit against Black Butte Ranch, fired server

(Update: Add video, comments from plaintiff’s attorney and district attorney)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Four more people have joined a lawsuit against Black Butte Ranch and former employee Glenn Michael Woosley, who is now alleged to have sexually harassed at least thirteen employees, including minors.

The lawsuit alleges that Woosley, now 77, used his position as a manager to discriminate, sexually harass and assault the alleged victims while he worked at Robert’s Pub.

Prosecutors also allege that Black Butte Ranch ignored sexual abuse complaints.

Their attorney, Jason Kafoury, said Monday: “The truth is that what we have already learned so far is that Black Butte has known for many, many years that this man was a real problem and did nothing to to get rid of him until some of the victims went to the police.”

The damages sought in the lawsuit now amount to $19.5 million, or $1.5 million per plaintiff, many of whom worked as busboys or kitchen staff and were 15 to 17 years old at the time.

Kafoury said, “The Black Butte Police Department has interviewed many more potential victims since we filed the lawsuit this summer, is still in the process of interviewing more victims, and some of those reports are now with the district attorney’s office in Deschutes County for possible new victims.” criminal charges.”

“This man is a danger to the public,” he said. ‘He shouldn’t be on the street now. He should be behind bars.”

In a letter to the community in June, Black Butte Ranch said the resort fully supports those who have come forward and has rules in place to create a safe work environment, including background checks and sexual harassment training.

In a letter to NewsChannel 21, Chief Marketing Officer Kim Kohn said in part: “We recognize the difficulty and courage of all claimants in their willingness to share their stories and pursue these claims. Black Butte Ranch takes these claims very seriously and we reiterate our support for any employee who has experienced harassment by Woosley. We share our employees’ outrage at his actions.”

Kafoury said, “I think Black Butte’s human resources department and some people at the management level knew that this man was sexually abusing these young boys and some of the young women who work there, and they just look the other way. It’s really a tragic situation.”

Court documents show Woosley entered a no contest plea in November 2022 to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of harassment. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation after being accused of sexually groping two male and one female employees.

Two of the victims spoke to NewsChannel 21 in June, when charges were first filed.

Colin Palmer said: “I was touched numerous times in numerous places and made very inappropriate comments. And I also looked at my peers and colleagues around me and was also given very nasty comments and was also sexually assaulted.”

Brody Anderson said, “He fooled a lot of people. You know, families come to see him, make reservations and stuff. So he was deeply embedded in the black butte community.”

Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said Monday that Black Butte Ranch police are expected to provide more evidence against Woosley.

“Police are currently investigating these (allegations) and when they are done with their police report, they will forward those reports to our office,” Gunnels said. “We will review the police reports and determine whether criminal charges should be filed.”

A trial date for the civil lawsuit is currently scheduled for September 2025.