$7-Million Suit Alleges Sexual Harassment

A former administrator of a pharmaceutical firm has filed a $7-million lawsuit against the company, claiming its chief executive’s sexual harassment on the job forced her to resign, documents revealed Friday.

Kathy Williams filed the Los Angeles Superior Court suit Thursday against Whiteworth-Towne Paulson Pharmaceuticals and its chairman of the board, A. D. White.

Williams claims in the suit that while she was employed at Whiteworth from September, 1982, to March, 1984, White approached her many times and pressed his body against hers, kissed her on the mouth, fondled her breasts and asked her to have sex with him.

At least 12 other female employees at the firm suffered the same alleged treatment by White, Williams said.

Whiteworth officials were unavailable for comment.

Williams is seeking $2 million in general damages, $5 million in punitive damages and unspecified legal fees for sexual harassment, battery, defamation and invasion of privacy.