Fired Executive Wins $682,000 for Harassment

A 34-year-old woman was awarded more than $682,000 in a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former employer and her supervisor, who has since left the business.

Susan Zavatto, who worked two years at Chatsworth-based Clifford Electronics Inc. as a marketing executive, sued the company and its former president, Alex Wijnen, after he allegedly invited her up to his hotel room during a 1999 business trip to Las Vegas. On two occasions, Zavatto said, Wijnen asked if she wanted to “take a bath” with him in a private Jacuzzi in the room.

Upon returning from the trip, Zavatto said, she complained to the company’s human resources department, but no action was taken. Three weeks later, she was fired.

The jury in Los Angeles Superior Court found in Zavatto’s favor Friday and compensated her for lost wages and emotional distress. However, the jury deadlocked on whether Zavatto should receive punitive damages. Clifford, which manufactures car alarm systems, was ordered to pay $582,000 and Wijnen about $100,000, according to Zavatto’s attorney, Craig Horowitz.