Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A crew member of the movie "Cabrini" is suing the producers and a crew member in particular for sexual harassment. The plaintiff's attorney says producers demoted her when she spoke up.
Attorney Lisa Coppola says her client took daily abuse from prop master Will Blount, which started with unwelcome hugs and kisses, and later included Blount pinning her to the wall of a prop truck as he ground his buttocks into her groin.
"Blount's sexual harassment is exactly what the law prohibits, and it takes a lot of strength to come forward. The assistant prop master stood up to Blount on the set and made reports to the film's producers. Ultimately, after reporting, our client learned that a colleague would not assign a young woman to Blount. In other words, the assistant prop master's reporting saved a young woman from being in Blount's line of fire," says. Coppola. Coppola Firm partner Jennifer Scharf, Esq. added, "Our client's reports helped others; fortunately the law protects our client, too. We are honored to represent such a brave woman for coming forward and protecting others."
During the filming, Coppola Blount intensified his sexually harassing behaviors toward her client "by pushing his entire weight up against her in a tight, windowless trailer, touching her breast, caressing her hand, and hugging and kissing her, often in front of others, which clearly was designed to embarrass her." She adds the assistant prop master reported Blount's misconduct to several producers, both orally and in writing. In response, she was told her alternative was to take a demotion to a less prestigious crew in order to have less contact with Blount.
Because production has wrapped, Coppola is seeking financial restitution.
