Alleged victim testifies in EEOC sex harassment suit

A band singer testified yesterday in the ongoing jury trial in federal court in the sexual harassment lawsuit filed on her behalf by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The singer burst into tears a couple of times whenever the questions by the parties’ counsels focused on the early morning of Jan. 2, 2008, when Tomas Alegre, the former F&B manager of Saipan Grand Hotel, allegedly made sexual advances at her inside her room.

After the singer completed her testimony in the afternoon, an excerpt of a deposition by police officer Raquel Ogumoro was read in court. EEOC trial attorney Derek Li read the questions and district court law clerk Quynh Chi Nguyen read Ogumoro’s answers. Ogumoro is currently off-island.

In the deposition, Ogumoro said it was she who responded to the hotel on Jan. 2, 2008, after receiving a call about the sexual assault incident. The police officer testified that the singer was emotional when she arrived at the scene and that Alegre was there too.

Ogumoro said she decided to arrest Alegre for sexual assault and disturbing the peace. The officer said she found the singer’s statement to be “trustworthy.”

Saipan Tribune left the courtroom after Ogumoro’s statements were read.

EEOC filed the lawsuit on behalf of the singer against Asia Pacific Hotels Inc. and Tan Holdings. The trial began on Monday.

The singer is now based in Manila. In her testimony, she related to the court what happened on the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2008, that led to her complaint against Alegre. She said she filed a complaint with the Philippine Consulate General, Federal Ombudsman, and also at the Department of Public Safety the following day.

She said she was provided a rape kit at the Commonwealth Health Center, but the results showed that she was not raped.

She said she was taken to a shelter where she stayed for eight to nine months. She said she stayed on the island because she was waiting for her case and for personal reasons.

During cross-examination by attorney Steven Pixley, counsel for Asia Pacific Hotels Inc., which operates the Saipan Grand Hotel, and Tan Holdings, she said she did not encounter any problems with other hotel managers other than Alegre. She also said that she never complained about the incident to Asia Pacific Hotels Inc.

The trial will continue today, Wednesday.