Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 1 of 17 Page ID #:1
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
LAWYERS
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Telephone (213) 625-3900
Facsimile (213) 625-1600
Geragos@Geragos.com
MARK J. GERAGOS
BEN J. MEISELAS
GREG KIRAKOSIAN
TYLER M. ROSS
SBN 108325
SBN 277412
SBN 294580
SBN 292263
SAMINI SCHEINBERG, PC
BOBBY SAMINI
SBN 181796
MATTHEW M. HOESLY SBN 289593
949 S Coast Dr., Suite 420
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Telephone: (949) 724-0900
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Attorneys for Plaintiff RACHEL KREMER
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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RACHEL KREMER, an individual;
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Plaintiff,
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vs.
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CASE NO.: 8:14-CV-01889
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES
1. SEXUAL HARASSMENT;
2. CIVIL HARASSMENT;
3. INTENTIONAL
INFLICTION OF
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS;
4. NEGLIGENT INFLICTION
OF EMOTIONAL
DISTRESS;
5. NEGLIGENT RETENTION
AND SUPERVISION;
6. RETALIATION;
7. WRONGFUL
TERMINATION
ZILLOW, INC., a Washington
corporation; and DOES 1 through 50,
inclusive,
Defendants.
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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 2 of 17 Page ID #:2
INTRODUCTION
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
1.
Plaintiff Rachel Kremer began her employment enthusiastically with
Defendant Zillow, Inc. (Zillow) on June 25, 2012 as an Inside Sales Consultant.
Ms. Kremer quickly learned that Zillow had a pervasive culture of degrading women.
Ms. Kremers male supervisors ranked her according to her breast size, sent pictures
of their penis to her, and demanded sexual gratification and obedience by Ms. Kremer
to continue her employment.
supervisor, but instead, was pervasive throughout Zillows leadership.
Zillow executives bragged that the office culture led to more sexual encounters than
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Match.com and referred to the internal office directory as Zinder, named after the
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dating application Tinder. Sadly, for Ms. Kremer, by not participating in this culture,
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she felt she would be outcast, and terminated. Eventually, after experiencing the most
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heinous acts of sexual harassment imaginable, Ms. Kremer was terminated. Zillow
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attempted to cover up their conduct by having Ms. Kremer sign a confidentiality
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agreement and release. Ms. Kremer brings this action based on the sexual torture she
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endured, and for the other women who have been silenced at Zillow, and remain
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exposed to horrific and unthinkable acts.
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Privately,
PARTIES
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Ms. Kremers experience was not limited to one
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Plaintiff Rachel Kremer, at all relevant times, was an individual residing
in Orange County, California.
3.
Defendant Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z), at all relevant times, was a
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Washington corporation registered to do business in the State of California. Zillow is
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an online home and real estate marketplace for homebuyers, sellers, renters, real estate
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agents, mortgage professionals, landlords, and property managers. Zillow claims its
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database contains more than 110 million U.S. homes. Zillow also operates the largest
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real estate and rental advertising networks in the country.
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4.
Plaintiff is unaware of the true names and capacities of the Defendants
named herein as Does 1 through 50, inclusive, and therefore sues said Defendants by
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Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 3 of 17 Page ID #:3
such fictitious names. Plaintiff will seek leave of Court to amend this Complaint to
allege the true names and capacities of said Defendants when the same are
ascertained. Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that each of the
aforesaid fictitiously named Defendants is responsible in some manner for the
happenings and occurrences hereinafter alleged, and the Plaintiffs damages and
injuries as herein alleged were caused by the conduct of said Defendants.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
5.
This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 1332
because the amount in controversy as to Plaintiff exceeds $75,000.00 exclusive of
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interest and costs and because Defendant is incorporated and has its principal place of
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business in a state other than the state in which the named Plaintiff resides.
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This Court has supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining common law
and state claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 1367.
7.
Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ' 1391 because a
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substantial part of the events giving rise to Plaintiffs claims occurred in the Central
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District of California.
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
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8.
Zillow management routinely and unapologetically subjected Ms.
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Kremer to despicable and inappropriate sexual conduct throughout Ms. Kremers
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employment.
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9.
Zillow management also directly targeted and propositioned Ms. Kremer
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on numerous occasions. These managers later retaliated against Ms. Kremer because
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she would not engage in sexual acts.
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10.
A few examples in the long list of unwelcome and disturbing sexual
harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:
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a. On or about August 6, 2014, Ms. Kremer received an email from a
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Zillow manager with the subject line Doc Johnson Mood Flirty
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Vibrator. The body of the email contained an advertisement for an adult
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 4 of 17 Page ID #:4
sex toy. A true and correct copy of this email is attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
b. On or about December 27, 2012, Ms. Kremer sent a text message to Gabe
Schmidt, requesting assistance in having her e-mail password reset. Mr.
Schmidt responded: Hy said he will reset your password for a boob
picture. Mr. Schmidt included a screen shot from Zillow IT employee
Hy Lam. A true and correct copy of this text message is attached hereto
as Exhibit B.
c. On or about February 9, 2013, Mr. Schmidt invited Ms. Kremer to join
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him later that evening. The message reads: Call me. Matt is showering.
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Thinking 333 dinner drink and your smooth vagina. 3 Thirty 3
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Waterfront is a popular restaurant in Newport Beach, California with an
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active late-night bar scene. A true and correct copy of this text message
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is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
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d. On or about February 17, 2013, Ms. Kremer received a text message
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from Mr. Schmidt which reads: Wanna blow me and have sex tonight?
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A true and correct copy of this email is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
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e. On or about May 5, 2014, Ms. Kremer complained to Mr. Schmidt about
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the inappropriate conduct of a co-worker. Mr. Schmidt responded by
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saying: You should mention something to Eddie. He wont get fired. I
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would just tell Eddie to watch it.
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Salesforce picture when youre not there. A true and correct copy of
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this email is attached hereto as Exhibit E.
I wonder if he jerks it to your
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f. On or about December 29, 2012, Mr. Cody Fagnant (presumably using
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Mr. Schmidts phone) sent a series of text messages wherein Mr. Fagnant
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invited Ms. Kremer to join him that evening. One noteworthy excerpt
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from Mr. Fagnant reads: I have a great opportunity that just opened up
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on my face in the 92660 market. Call me if you are interested. This is an
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exclusive position and wont last long. A true and correct copy of these
text messages is attached hereto as Exhibit F.
g. On or about June 11, 2014, Mr. Schmidt sent a picture of his genitalia to
Ms. Kremer with other lewd commentary. A true and correct copy of
this text message is attached hereto as Exhibit G.
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Disturbingly, these types of communications from Zillow management
were commonplace during Ms. Kremers employment. Indeed, the Zillow office
culture in Southern California has been described as an adult frat house where
sexual harassment and misconduct are normalized, condoned, and promoted by male
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managers.
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For example, Mr. Fagnant would corner Ms. Kremer when he was
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belligerently drunk to tell her, I want to fuck the shit out of you. Mr. Fagnant made
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this statement once on July 26, 2013, and again on September 28, 2013.
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In addition, male managers frequently engaged in sexual relations with
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female sales representatives. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and based thereon
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alleges, that Mr. Fagnant was having sexual relations with a sales representative in
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Seattle.
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Mr. Schmidt, who was Ms. Kremers supervisor, referred to a new
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employee as Rachel 2.0, since, as he explained, she was like Rachel but with
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bigger breasts and less miles on her.
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During her employment with Zillow, Ms. Kremer successfully performed
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her duties and consistently met sales goals and other criteria established by Zillow.
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Ms. Kremer was recognized several times for excelling in the performance of her
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duties.
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The hostile work environment and repeated instances of sexual
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harassment by Zillow management adversely impacted Ms. Kremers work
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performance, and in July and August 2014, she was unable to meet her stated sales
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goals.
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
17.
On Friday, August 29, 2014, Ms. Kremer was informed by Edward
Cornelious, John Boller and Justin Lejouie that her employment with Zillow was
being terminated due to her failure to meet her sales goals for the two preceding
months. Ms. Kremer was never provided any warning or given an opportunity to
explain the decline in her work performance, which was completely inconsistent with
Zillows own practices. In fact, another Zillow employee from Ms. Kremers hire
class was not terminated even though the employees job performance was nearly
identical to Ms. Kremers.
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT
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California Civil Code 51.9
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against All Defendants)
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Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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California Civil Code section 51.9 states:
(a) A person is liable in a cause of action for sexual harassment under this
section when the plaintiff proves all of the following elements:
(1) There is a business, service, or professional relationship between the
plaintiff and defendant. Such a relationship may exist between a plaintiff
and a person . . .
(2) The defendant has made sexual advances, solicitations, sexual
requests, demands for sexual compliance by the plaintiff, or engaged in
other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature or of a hostile
nature based on gender, that were unwelcome and pervasive or severe.
(3) There is an inability by the plaintiff to easily terminate the
relationship.
(4) The plaintiff has suffered or will suffer economic loss or disadvantage
or personal injury, including, but not limited to, emotional distress or the
violation of a statutory or constitutional right, as a result of the conduct
described in paragraph (2).
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with Plaintiff where there was an inability by Plaintiff to easily terminate the
relationship due to her contractual obligations to Defendant Zillow.
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As described above, Defendant Zillows agents, employees, and
representatives made sexual advances, solicitations, sexual requests, demands for
sexual compliance by Plaintiff, and engaged in other verbal, visual, and physical
conduct of a sexual and hostile nature based on gender that were unwelcome by
Plaintiff and pervasive or severe.
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Defendant Zillow was in a business, service, or professional relationship
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
20.
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Defendant Zillows representatives engaged in sexual assault with the
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intent to cause harmful and offensive contact to Plaintiffs body. As described above,
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Defendant Zillows representatives engaged in inappropriate conduct and created a
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hostile work environment for Plaintiff by sending her inappropriate emails, text
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messages, pictures, by physically intimidating her with the intent to engage in sexual
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relations, and by creating a sexually hostile work environment.
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23.
Defendant Zillow ratified its agents, servants, employees, and authorized
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representatives unlawful conduct and behavior as described herein by: (1) allowing
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an adult frat house culture to exist in its Orange County office; (2) continuing to pay
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives despite knowledge of
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the unlawful conduct described herein; and (3) failing to report the unlawful conduct
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of any of its agents, servants, employees, and/or authorized representatives at any
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point to any authorities within or outside of Zillow.
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As a direct and proximate cause of the tortious, unlawful, and wrongful
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acts of Defendant Zillow and its respective agents, servants, employees, and
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authorized representatives as aforesaid, Plaintiff has suffered past and future special
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damages and past and future general damages in an amount according to proof at trial.
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Plaintiff has been damaged emotionally and financially, including but not limited to
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emotional suffering from emotional distress and ridicule, as well as loss of income,
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employment, and career benefits.
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants and
deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
25.
26.
Plaintiff is entitled to an award of attorneys fees against Defendants
pursuant to California Civil Code section 52.
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
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CIVIL HARASSMENT
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California Code of Civil Procedure 527.6
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against All Defendants)
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Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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28.
Defendants conduct, as described above, was a knowing and willful
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course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or
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harasses the person, and that serves no legitimate purpose, thus constituting civil
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harassment under California Code of Civil Procedure section 527.6(b).
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29.
Defendants course of conduct [was] such as would cause a reasonable
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person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and [did] actually cause substantial
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emotional distress to the plaintiff, as required by California Code of Civil Procedure
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section 527.6(b).
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30.
Defendant Zillow ratified its agents, servants, employees, and authorized
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representatives unlawful conduct and behavior as described herein by: (1) allowing
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an adult frat house culture to exist in its Orange County office; (2) continuing to pay
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives despite knowledge of
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the unlawful conduct described herein; and (3) failing to report the unlawful conduct
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of any of its agents, servants, employees, and/or authorized representatives at any
point to any authorities within or outside of Zillow.
31.
Plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress.
32.
Defendant Zillow, including its agents, servants, employees, and
authorized representatives, was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiffs severe
emotional distress.
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
33.
As a direct and proximate cause of the tortious, unlawful, and wrongful
acts of Defendant Zillow and its respective agents, servants, employees, and
authorized representatives as aforesaid, Plaintiff has suffered past and future special
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damages and past and future general damages in an amount according to proof at trial.
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Plaintiff has been damaged emotionally and financially, including but not limited to
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emotional suffering from emotional distress and ridicule, as well as loss of income,
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employment, and career benefits.
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34.
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
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fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
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well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
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assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants and
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deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
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THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
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INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against All Defendants)
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Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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36.
Defendants conduct, as described above, was extreme and outrageous
and beyond the bounds of decency tolerated in a civilized society.
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and Defendants acted with a reckless disregard to the probability that Plaintiff would
suffer emotional distress.
38.
Defendant Zillow ratified its agents, servants, employees, and authorized
representatives unlawful conduct and behavior as described herein by: (1) allowing
an adult frat house culture to exist in its Orange County office; (2) continuing to pay
its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives despite knowledge of
the unlawful conduct described herein; and (3) failing to report the unlawful conduct
of any of its agents, servants, employees, and/or authorized representatives at any
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HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Defendants conduct was intended to cause Plaintiff emotional distress
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
37.
point to any authorities within or outside of Zillow.
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39.
Plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress.
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40.
Defendants were a substantial factor in causing Plaintiffs severe
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emotional distress.
41.
As a direct and proximate cause of the tortious, unlawful, and wrongful
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acts of Defendant Zillow and its respective agents, servants, employees, and
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authorized representatives as aforesaid, Plaintiff has suffered past and future special
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damages and past and future general damages in an amount according to proof at trial.
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Plaintiff has been damaged emotionally and financially, including but not limited to
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emotional suffering from emotional distress and ridicule, as well as loss of income,
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employment, and career benefits.
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42.
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
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fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
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well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
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assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants and
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deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
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FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
(By Plaintiff Kremer Against All Defendants)
every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
though set forth in full.
44.
Defendants owed a duty to use reasonable care in their conduct with
regard to the health, safety, and rights of Plaintiff. It was foreseeable and probable
that Plaintiff would suffer severe emotional distress from Defendants conduct.
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HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
43.
45.
Defendants were negligent by breaching the duty of care they owed to
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Plaintiff when Defendant Zillow and its agents, employees, and representatives
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repeatedly abused, harassed, and insulted Plaintiff, and Defendant Zillow was aware
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of such conduct by its agents, employees, and representatives and allowed it to
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continue.
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46.
Defendant Zillow ratified its agents, servants, employees, and authorized
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representatives unlawful conduct and behavior as described herein by: (1) allowing
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an adult frat house culture to exist in its Orange County office; (2) continuing to pay
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives despite knowledge of
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the unlawful conduct described herein; and (3) failing to report the unlawful conduct
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of any of its agents, servants, employees, and/or authorized representatives at any
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point to any authorities within or outside of Zillow.
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47.
Plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress.
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48.
Defendants were a substantial factor in causing Plaintiffs severe
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emotional distress.
49.
As a direct and proximate cause of the tortious, unlawful, and wrongful
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acts of Defendant Zillow and its respective agents, servants, employees, and
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authorized representatives as aforesaid, Plaintiff has suffered past and future special
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damages and past and future general damages in an amount according to proof at trial.
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Plaintiff has been damaged emotionally and financially, including but not limited to
emotional suffering from emotional distress and ridicule, as well as loss of income,
employment, and career benefits.
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
50.
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendants and
deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
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FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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NEGLIGENT RETENTION AND SUPERVISION
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against Defendant Zillow)
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51.
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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52.
Defendant Zillow has a duty to retain employees who are fit and
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competent, to supervise their employees, and to implement measures to protect third
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persons from the predictable and foreseeable risks posed by their employees.
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53.
Defendant Zillow knew, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should
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have known, that Plaintiffs superiors and colleagues were incompetent and unfit to
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perform the duties for which they were employed, and that undue risks to persons
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such as Plaintiff would result by way of their inappropriate conduct. The conduct of
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Plaintiffs supervisors occurred in their capacity as employees of Defendant Zillow,
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and was done for the benefit of Defendant Zillow.
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54.
Defendant Zillow was negligent by breaching the duty of care by
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retaining and failing to supervise Plaintiffs supervisors and colleagues, who had
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known propensities for unlawful behavior including abuse, harassment, and
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misconduct towards females with whom they worked. The conduct towards Plaintiff
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was foreseeable based on the reputation that the Southern California Zillow office was
known as an adult frat house and based on Defendant Zillows male employees
treatment towards other female employees. Defendant Zillow had knowledge of such
conduct. Defendant Zillow breached its duty of care by failing to implement measures
to protect third persons from foreseeable risks, unreasonable risks of harm, and the
recurrence of employee behavior of which it had prior notice. Instead, Defendant
Zillow failed to terminate the above mentioned employees or take any disciplinary
action against them, but retained them and allowed them to continue victimizing
Plaintiff so that it may continue to reap the financial rewards of their conduct.
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
10
55.
Defendant Zillows failure to train, supervise, and terminate the above
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mentioned employees was the direct and proximate cause of Plaintiffs injuries.
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Plaintiff has suffered past and future special damages and past and future general
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damages in an amount according to proof at trial.
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physically, emotionally, and financially, including, but not limited to suffering from
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pain, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, ridicule, as well as loss of health,
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income, employment, and career benefits.
Plaintiff has been damaged
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SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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RETALIATION
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against Defendant Zillow)
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56.
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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57.
Plaintiff opposed the sexual harassment, discrimination, and other
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offensive conduct as described herein by reporting the conduct, and demanding that it
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be stopped.
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58.
Defendant Zillow failed to address Plaintiffs complaint.
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59.
The acts and/or omissions of Defendant Zillow materially and adversely
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affected the terms and conditions of Plaintiffs employment.
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HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
That Plaintiff opposed the sexual harassment, discrimination, and other
offensive conduct as described herein and reporting it was a motivating reason for her
termination in violation of Government Code Section 12940 (h) and for continued
harassment.
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
60.
61.
Defendant Zillow ratified its agents, servants, employees, and authorized
representatives unlawful conduct and behavior as described herein by: (1) allowing
an adult frat house culture to exist in its Orange County office; (2) continuing to pay
its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives despite knowledge of
the unlawful conduct described herein; and (3) failing to report the unlawful conduct
10
of any of its agents, servants, employees, and/or authorized representatives at any
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point to any authorities within or outside of Zillow.
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62.
The acts and/or omissions of Defendant Zillow caused Plaintiff to suffer
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harm and economic damages for loss of past and future earnings and employee
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benefits, loss of earning capacity, loss of such employment related opportunities as the
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opportunity for advancement and promotion within Defendant Zillow, in amounts
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according to proof at trial.
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63.
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
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its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
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fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
20
well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
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assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendant Zillow
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and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
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SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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WRONGFUL TERMINATION
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(By Plaintiff Kremer Against Defendant Zillow)
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Plaintiff realleges and incorporates as if fully stated herein each and
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every allegation contained above and incorporates the same herein by this reference as
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though set forth in full.
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Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 15 of 17 Page ID #:15
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
Plaintiff was required to endure sexual harassment, discrimination, and
other offensive conduct described herein during her employment with Defendant
Zillow.
Defendant Zillow terminated Plaintiffs employment on or around
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August 29, 2014.
67.
Plaintiffs
gender
and
opposition
to
the
sexual
harassment,
discrimination, and other offensive conduct described herein were motivating reasons
for her termination.
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
65.
68.
Defendant Zillow was aware, or should have been aware, of the
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likelihood that Plaintiff would suffer severe emotional distress as a result of the
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above-described outrageous conduct.
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Defendant Zillow its employees was done intentionally and for the purpose of
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inflicting extreme and severe emotional distress upon Plaintiff.
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69.
The outrageous and shocking conduct of
Defendant Zillow knowingly created and intentionally permitted these
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intolerable working conditions and failed to take appropriate remedial steps to protect
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Plaintiff from discrimination, retaliation, and harassment.
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70.
Plaintiff was harmed and the requirement that she endure sexual
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harassment, discrimination, and other offensive conduct as described herein during the
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course of her employment was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiffs harm.
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Further, Plaintiff was harmed in that she was terminated without notice,
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warning, or an opportunity to explain the decline in her work performance, all in
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violation of and inconsistent with Defendant Zillows own internal procedures and
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practices.
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72.
Plaintiffs termination from her employment was rooted in violation of
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public policy embodied in Californias Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA),
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California Government Code 12940, et seq., California Constitution Art. I Section 8,
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and case law.
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Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 16 of 17 Page ID #:16
outrageous conduct, Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer damages, including lost
earnings and benefits, stress, anxiety, humiliation, embarrassment, discomfort, mental
anguish, and severe emotional distress in addition to other consequential damages.
74.
In engaging in the conduct as hereinabove alleged, Defendant Zillow and
its agents, servants, employees, and authorized representatives acted with malice,
fraud, and oppression and/or in conscious disregard of Plaintiffs health, rights, and
well-being, and intended to subject Plaintiff to unjust hardship, thereby warranting an
assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Defendant Zillow
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HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
As a direct and proximate result of Defendant Zillows extreme and
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
73.
and deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
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PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Rachel Kremer respectfully requests for judgment to
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be entered upon Defendants Zillow, Inc., as follows:
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1.
For general and special damages for an amount to be determined at trial;
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2.
For pre- and post-judgment interest according to proof;
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3.
For Punitive Damages where applicable;
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4.
For Attorney Fees where applicable;
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3.
For costs of suit incurred herein; and
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4.
For all other relief as this court may deem proper.
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DATED: December 1, 2014
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
SAMINI SCHEINBERG, PC
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By:_ /s/ MARK J. GERAGOS
MARK J. GERAGOS
BEN J. MEISELAS
GREG KIRAKOSIAN
TYLER M. ROSS
BOBBY SAMINI
MATTHEW M. HOESLY
Attorneys for Plaintiff
RACHEL KREMER
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Case 8:14-cv-01889-DOC-RNB Document 1 Filed 12/01/14 Page 17 of 17 Page ID #:17
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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Plaintiff Rachel Kremer hereby demands a jury trial.
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DATED: December 1, 2014
GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
SAMINI SCHEINBERG, PC
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GERAGOS & GERAGOS, APC
HISTORIC ENGINE CO. NO. 28
644 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90017-3411
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By:_ /s/ MARK J. GERAGOS ________
MARK J. GERAGOS
BEN J. MEISELAS
GREG KIRAKOSIAN
TYLER M. ROSS
BOBBY SAMINI
MATTHEW M. HOESLY
Attorneys for Plaintiff
RACHEL KREMER
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