‘It’s really a tragic situation’: Four more former employees join $19.5 million suit against Black Butte Ranch, fired server

(Update: Adding video, comments from plaintiffs' attorney and DA)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Four more people have joined a lawsuit against Black Butte Ranch and former employee Glenn Michael Woosley, who it's now alleged sexually harassed at least 13 employees, including minors.

The suit alleges that Woosley, now 77, used his position as manager to discriminate, sexually harass and assault the alleged victims while working at Robert's Pub.

The plaintiffs also allege Black Butte Ranch ignored complaints of sexual abuse.

Their attorney, Jason Kafoury, said Monday, "The truth is, what we've learned so far already is that Black Butte was on notice that this guy was a real problem for many, many years and didn't do anything to get rid of him until some of the victims went to the police."

Damages sought in the lawsuit now amount to $19.5 million, or $1.5 million per plaintiff, many of whom worked as busboys or kitchen staff and at the time were 15 to 17 years old.

Kafoury said, "The Black Butte Police Department has interviewed many more potential victims since we filed the lawsuit over the summer, is still in the process of interviewing more victims, and some of those reports are now with the Deschutes County DA’s office for potential new criminal charges."

"This man is a danger to the public," he said. "He should not be out on the streets right now. He should be behind bars."

In a letter to the community in June, Black Butte Ranch said the resort fully supports those who have come forward and has rules to create a safe working environment, including background checks and sexual harassment training. 

In a letter to NewsChannel 21, Chief Marketing Officer Kim Kohn said in part, "We acknowledge the difficulty and bravery of all the plaintiffs in their willingness to share their stories and pursue these claims. Black Butte Ranch takes these claims extremely seriously and we reiterate our support for any employee who experienced harassment from Woosley. We share our employees' outrage at his actions."

Kafoury said, "I think the human resources department at Black Butte, and some of the management-level people knew that this guy was sexually abusing these young boys and some of the young women that work there, and they just look the other way. It's really a tragic situation."

Court documents show in November of 2022, Woosley entered a no-contest plea to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of harassment. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months probation after being accused of sexually groping two male and one female employees.

Two of the victims spoke to NewsChannel 21 in June, when the suit was first filed.

Colin Palmer said, "I was touched numerous times in numerous places and made very inappropriate comments. And I also watched my peers and coworkers around me, also get very nasty comments, and also get sexually assaulted as well."

Brody Anderson said, "He had lots of people fooled. You know, families are coming in to see him, making reservations, and everything. So he was deeply embedded in the black butte community."

Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels said Monday that Black Butte Ranch police are expected to provide more evidence against Woosley. 

"The police are currently investigating those (allegations), and when they finish their police report, they'll forward those reports to our office," Gunnels said. "We'll review the police reports and determine whether to file criminal charges."

A trial date for the civil lawsuit currently is scheduled for September of 2025.