Motel Official Denies Sexual Harassment

The manager of an Oxnard motel whose alleged sexual harassment of a former female employee resulted in a state fine of more than $40,000 denied the allegations Monday and said his accuser was just out for money.

On Monday, 59-year-old Jeung Kang, manager of the Ambassador Motel, 1631 S. Oxnard Blvd., said he was unaware of the fine, imposed on the motel owner last month by the state Fair Employment and Housing Commission.

“I don’t know about the $40,000,” Kang said. As for the allegations of harassment, Kang laughed. “I’ll be 60 years old next month,” he said.

According to the commission, Kang began his harassment of former housekeeper Minerva Valvarde Marquez in August 1994, when the motel was sold to Jeung Kim of Oxnard. Marquez had worked at the motel since 1989 without any problems. But upon the sale of the motel, Kang “began a course of unwelcome sexual conduct” toward Marquez, according to the ruling.

Kim was not available for comment.

The commission alleged that Kang subjected the housekeeper to continual sexual comments, often in the presence of his wife; repeatedly invited her to join him on vacations, and often grabbed or fondled her against her will.

Kang allegedly told Marquez that if she had sex with him, her work assignments would improve. In February 1995, Marquez was fired when she resisted Kang’s advances. The same day, Kang got into a fight with a man whom Marquez had brought along for protection, and Kang’s wife allegedly threw a vacuum cleaner at Marquez, according to commission lawyers.

“Nonsense,” Kang said. “Nothing happened.”

The commission heard the case on June 25 and handed down its ruling Oct. 2. The damages awarded Marquez include $30,000 for emotional distress and $358 in lost wages, according to commission spokesman Tony Ortiz. An additional $10,000 was imposed as a civil penalty and will go into the state’s general fund, Ortiz said.

Marquez, who could not be reached for comment, was hired by another motel in August 1995 but suffered a disabling on-the-job injury in October of that year, according to commission records.