U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona presided over the trial.
The verdict was in favor of Asia Pacific Hotels, which is doing business as Saipan Grand Hotel, and Tan Holdings Company.
The charging party was a former singer of a band that performed at Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V. She’s been living in the Philippines and had to travel to Saipan for the trial.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused Tomas Alegre, the hotel’s former food and beverage manager, of sexually assaulting the singer.
Alegre was later terminated from his position, and is now in the Philippines. He said his relationship with the singer was consensual.
In a statement, Tan Holdings Corporation chief legal counsel Steven P. Pixley said: “Asia Pacific Hotels and Tan Holdings Company are exceedingly pleased with the jury’s verdict this morning. It was a hard fought trial; however, at the end of the day the jury found that the complaining witness was not exposed to a hostile work environment.”
Pixley added, “The simple truth is that my clients have spent a significant amount of human resources, time and money ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.
“Tan Holdings Corporation and Asia Pacific Hotels are good corporate citizens. Sadly, the [EEOC] spent thousands upon thousands of taxpayer’s dollars prosecuting this questionable case.”
“Perhaps this case will send a message that they should consider changing their focus from aggressive litigation/enforcement tactics to a policy that emphasizes training and cooperation with employers here,” Pixley said.
For his part, EEOC trial attorney Derek Li said: “While the EEOC respectfully disagrees with the verdict, the EEOC is thankful to the jury for their time and consideration of the evidence. We are considering an appeal of the trial.”
