Multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed against Black Butte Ranch and 77-year-old former server alleging sexual abuse, failure to act

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Nine former Black Butte Ranch employees filed a $13.5 million civil lawsuit Thursday against the resort's association and 77-year-old former server Glenn Michael Woosley, alleging abuse, harassment and the resort's failure to take action when it was notified of his alleged actions.

The complaint filed Thursday in Deschutes County Court accuses Woosley of sexually abusing and harassing the former employees when they worked at the resort's Robert's Pub. Many of them worked as waiters or kitchen staff and were between 15 and 17 years old at the time.

“It still makes daily life uncomfortable working with older men or seeing older men. There's just a part of me that still feels that way inside,” alleged victim Colin Palmer told reporters during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

According to his LinkedIn page, Woosley worked at the pub for almost 40 years and called himself Mr. Black Butte Ranch. Public records show he still resides in Sisters

Another alleged victim, Brody Anderson, said: “He was a long-time employee, he had cheated a lot of people. Families came to see it, made reservations and everything. So it's deeply rooted in the Black Butte community. »

The lawsuit also alleges that management at Robert's Pub was informed of the harassment and assault in 2022, but told two of the alleged victims not to go to police.

The complaint, which names Black Butte Ranch Corp., the association and several individuals as well as Woolsey, alleges sex and gender discrimination, a hostile work environment, sexual assault and battery, negligence and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

Woosley was placed on administrative leave and was ultimately fired.

Court documents show that in November 2022, Woosley pleaded not guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of harassment, all class A misdemeanors. Woosley was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months of probation after being accused of sexually assaulting two male employees and a female employee.

Palmer recounted his own experience.

“I was touched numerous times in numerous places and (he) made very inappropriate comments,” he said, “and I also saw my colleagues also receive inappropriate comments and also assaulted . »

This is not the first time former employees have sued Black Butte Ranch.

In 2007, the ranch was sued for discrimination after a former employee claimed that a manager at the main resort favored male employees over women. The ranch has denied the allegations.

In 2008, The Bulletin also reported that a second employee sued the ranch for discrimination and harassment, alleging that a manager locked her in a storage room and touched her inappropriately.

In the new complaint, the alleged victims' attorney, Jason Kafoury, said: “People like that, who can treat young boys – and one of our clients is a woman, but most of them are young boys – who can treat people like that, deserve a much harsher sentence than just 30 days (in jail).”

Attorneys for the alleged victim also said they are talking with the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office to determine whether new criminal charges might be warranted.

NewsChannel 21 has reached out to the Black Butte Ranch Association several times for comment but has not yet received a response.

Below is the lawsuit filed: