FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 3, 2020

Contact: Chris Benoit, Attorney, TRLA (915) 585-5118; cbenoit@trla.org
Fernando Bustos, Attorney (806) 780-3976; fbustos@bustoslawfirm.com
Nancy Nusser, Communications Director, TRLA (410) 934-9588; nnusser@trla.org 

Prominent Seminole Business Owner Settles Major Sexual Harassment Suit 

SEMINOLE, Texas – A Seminole woman who sued prominent local business owner Jacob Teichroeb for egregious on-the-job sexual harassment has won a major settlement for lost wages and damages. Laura Andrade, who is represented by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) and private attorney Fernando Bustos, reported that during the four years she worked for Teichroeb, who owns Seminole Metal, he subjected her to chronic, often daily unwanted intimate touching and other serious physical and verbal sexual harassment. 

“After years of degrading abuse, I am still struggling to recover my peace of mind, and it is a battle I will always fight,” Andrade said. “But with this settlement, I feel like I am finally getting justice. I chose to speak out because I do not want other people to feel that they must quietly tolerate what I suffered. I want other abuse survivors to know that they can speak up, take action, and prevail.” 

“Sexual harassment is rampant, and many survivors suffer in silence,” said Chris Benoit, counsel with TRLA who represents Andrade. “Laura had everything to lose by speaking up and she took action anyway. She was incredibly brave and an inspiration for all of us. Her case will send a message to survivors – that they can get justice. And it will send a message to employers in the region – that if they inflict sexual harassment on employees, they will face major consequences.”

A 2016 study by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) concluded that at least 25 percent and as many as 75 percent of women report having been sexually harassed in the workplace. Low-wage workers and workers of color are particularly vulnerable.

To combat on-the-job sexual harassment in Texas, TRLA has launched the Nuestra Voz/Our Voice campaign, which employs outreach, education, and legal action. “We’re going to bust the myths about what is and isn’t sexual harassment,” said TRLA labor and employment attorney Kathryn Youker. “We’ll explain how it’s illegal for employers to retaliate against workers who complain about sexual harassment – and what an employee can do if that happens.” 

Andrade asserted that Teichroeb started sexually harassing her soon after she started working for Seminole Metal in 2013. He propositioned her, showed her nude pictures of other women, touched her intimately without her consent on a daily basis, and exposed himself to her. She repeatedly complained to him about the harassment, which nonetheless continued. She believes he propositioned several other women at the company during the time she worked there. 

After quitting her job in June 2017, she didn’t know where to turn and filed a police report on Teichroeb’s abuse. She could not find local legal counsel or resources. She eventually was able to connect with TRLA, which began investigating her case and filed suit on her behalf. Her suit was settled in December. 

“This was an extremely serious case of sexual harassment,” said Bustos, the private lawyer also representing Andrade. “Laura suffered with chronic, severe sexual harassment over years. Her bravery in coming forward will help ensure that others like her do not have to suffer. The battle to end sexual harassment is only possible because of people like Laura.” 

Andrade said, “Receiving the settlement is a victory not only for me but for other sexual harassment survivors. It shows that we are not helpless against our harassers. We have recourse.” 

Established in 1970, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. (TRLA) is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to about 23,000 low-income Texans in southwestern 68 counties. TRLA’s mission is to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency, safety and access to justice for low-income Texans by providing high-quality legal assistance and related educational services