BEND, OR -- A group of former employees filed a $13.5 million sexual harassment lawsuit this week against a popular Central Oregon resort. The nine workers claim they were sexually harassed by 74-year-old Glenn Michael Woosley, a longtime employee and supervisor at Robert’s Pub, which is owned and managed by Black Butte Ranch. 
"I had my first run-in with Michael Woosley when I was about 17, 16," says Colin Palmer, "And I was touched numerous times in numerous places and made very inappropriate comments." He told reporters Thursday he complained to managers after he was groped, but nothing changed. Palmer says he’s had trouble holding down a job since his time at the pub, "I feel more uncomfortable with older men. Older guys have less filter, so they joke around and say stuff like that. And all of those jokes, now, I can’t tell if it’s serious or not." His former co-worker Brody Anderson says the harassment occurred daily. "He’d make sexual remarks and comments to us a lot. He’d try to make us question our sexuality."
Anderson and two others eventually contacted police, and in 2022 Woosley pled no contest to three counts of third degree sex abuse and harassment. He served 30 days in jail.
Woosley worked at Robert's Pub for around 30 years and the plaintiffs say he was well liked by customers and management, despite numerous reports of inappropriate behavior. "We know that Mr. Woosley was a longtime employee of Black Butte Ranch, had been a supervisor and a server supervising these young men - dishwashers, busboys, servers, as well," says attorney Chris Larsen. Attorney Jason Kafoury says the restaurant - with its revolving door of young, seasonal staff - was the perfect atmosphere for a sexual predator, "There are probably a lot more victims that have not come forward yet. The fact that nine victims in a very short amount of time have come forward in this case shows that, we think this probably just the tip of the iceberg." He adds,"We think that Mr. Woosley deserves a lot more criminal prosecution for what he’s done than the 30 days he’s served so far."
In addition to the civil suit, the lawyers are asking the Deschutes County District Attorney to take another look at Woosley's activities and pursue more criminal charges. "In the coming months, we’re going to learn what was in the employment file for a guy that had been there for decades," says Kafoury, "Were there other complaints? Was there anyone from five years ago, ten years ago that ever said anything about this?"
Photos: (top) Black Butte Ranch Big Meadow Clubhouse, in which Robert's Pub is located; courtesy of Black Butte Ranch. (upper right) Colin Palmer and Brody Anderson talk with reporters in Bend on 06/27/24. (upper left) Inside Robert's Pub; courtesy of Black Butte Ranch.
