The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Ground Zero Biloxi LLC today, alleging the Mississippi blues club fired an assistant manager for complaining about sexual harassment by one of its co-owners.
The federal agency charged that a co-owner of the Biloxi venue subjected the assistant manager to repeated unwanted sexual comments and multiple acts of forced sexual touching. According to the EEOC’s complaint, the assistant manager complained repeatedly about the harassment but the club failed to take effective action to stop the co-owner’s conduct.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi alleges Ground Zero retaliated against the assistant manager by firing her shortly after she submitted written complaints about the co-owner to the club’s chief financial officer.
The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sexual harassment in employment and retaliation against workers who oppose such harassment. The EEOC filed the lawsuit after attempting to reach a settlement through its administrative process.
EEOC seeks damages and policy changes
The commission seeks monetary damages including back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages, as well as court orders designed to prevent future violations.
“The EEOC has long been committed to protecting Americans from sexual harassment at work,” said Bradley Anderson, director of the EEOC’s Birmingham District Office. “When employers subject their employees to sexual harassment—particularly at the hands of owners—the EEOC will act.”
Regional Attorney Marsha Rucker emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcement. “Federal law prohibits sexual harassment and retaliation,” Rucker said. “The EEOC is proud to advance the law’s purpose and bring litigation when necessary to further the public interest in ensuring equal employment opportunity.”
Management liability concerns
The case highlights significant legal risks for businesses when ownership or senior management engages in harassment. Companies face heightened liability when harassment comes from owners, executives or other high-level officials, particularly when complaints are ignored or inadequately addressed.
The lawsuit reflects the EEOC’s continued focus on sexual harassment cases, especially those involving retaliation against employees who report misconduct. The agency has made harassment prevention and response a key enforcement priority.
The EEOC’s Birmingham District Office enforces federal employment discrimination laws in Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. The federal agency investigates and litigates employment discrimination cases against private sector employers and coordinates government anti-discrimination efforts.
