Shaun White is being sued for alleged sexual harassment with a Verified First Amended Complaint filed by Bohm Law Group on behalf of Lena Zawaiden, former drummer from White’s rock band, in San Diego Superior Court of California this week.
The First Amended Complaint, filed on August 12, 2016, alleges 15 causes of action, including sexual harassment; wrongful termination; nonpayment of wages; and breach of contract.
Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and X Games Champion Shaun White is being accused of sexually harassing Lena Zawaideh, the former female drummer with his rock band, “Bad Things.” These accusations include White sending sexually explicit and graphic images to Zawaideh of engorged and erect penises, forcing her to watch sexually disturbing videos, including videos sexualizing human fecal matter, and making vulgar sexual remarks to her such as, “Don’t forget to suck his balls!” when commenting on her boyfriend.
The complaint alleges that White stuck his hands down his pants, approached Zawaideh, and allegedly stuck his hands in her face trying to make her smell them. In addition to sexually harassment claims, White also allegedly refused to pay her contractual wages throughout 2014. The complaint also suggest that White used his role to impose a strict regime over Zawaideh, including terminating Zawaideh because she refused to cut her hair, wear sexually revealing clothes and underwear, and refrain from wearing red lipstick.
These allegations were made in a Verified First Amended Complaint, recently filed on behalf of Zawaideh by her current attorneys, Lawrance A. Bohm and the Bohm Law Group, Inc.
The case, Zawaideh v. Shaun White Enterprises, et al., is currently pending in the Superior Court of California in San Diego County.
No trial date has yet been set in the case.
Statement from Lawrence Bohm as per Bohm Law Group press release
“It is shocking and appalling to see a national role model act with such disregard to women in the workplace. Considering Mr. White became famous for his long hair and snowboarder persona, who ever thought we would see the day that Shaun White terminates someone who refuses to cut her hair. This type of gender harassment and discrimination does not belong in the workplace,” said Ms. Zawaideh’s lead trial attorney Lawrance Bohm of the Bohm Law Group, Inc., who recently took over Ms. Zawaideh’s representation.
“Athletes, rock stars, and pop culture icons are not above the law. Shaun White has to play by the same rules as every other employer in the State of California. Lena had a right to be free of harassment and equal pay at work. We are going to hold Shaun White accountable for his malicious and reprehensible conduct.”
Statement from Lena Zawaideh as per Bohm Law Group press release
Adds Lena Zawaideh, “I am pursuing this case because women should not have to tolerate harassment at work. Shaun White should not be allowed to whatever he wants just because he is famous. Although I am embarrassed to have been treated this way, I cannot sit by and watch him do this to other women.”
