A British singer is suing Equinox and her former supervisor, alleging she was sexually harassed by him after taking a job with the fitness chain.
Katie Waissel, 28, is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit against Equinox Fitness Woodland Hills Inc. and her former boss, Matt Lee. The suit, which also alleges gender discrimination, retaliation and failure to pay overtime wages.
Lee did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
According to the complaint, Waissel moved to the United States in 2013 after placing seventh in the seventh edition of the English version of the television show “The X Factor.” She says she came to Los Angeles “to pursue her dream of success in the recording industry.”
Waissel, formerly known as Katie Vogel, found out about a spa manager job at Equinox on Craigslist. She says she submitted her resume and was contacted by Lee, who hired her for the Woodland Hills facility at a salary of $28,000 after several interviews, including some at fancy restaurants where he ordered alcohol for both. He promised her she would receive more money soon, according to her lawsuit.
“At the time, Ms. Waissel did not fully understand what avenues Lee wanted her to pursue, but she would soon learn that he meant a road leading to a sexual relationship with him,” the suit alleges.
Lee insisted that Waissel use his credit card as she pleased and told her to join him at a dinner to celebrate her new job, according to her court papers. During the dinner, Waissel claims she felt obligated to drink and “eventually gave in to Lee” after initially rejecting his advances.
Waissel eventually concluded that Lee was “a sexual predator of not just her, but countless other women” and was “actively involved in online trolling for sexual escapades,” the suit alleges.
Waissel says she received no help after complaining to human resources and was eventually forced to resign.
She is currently the lead singer of a rock band called Red Velvet.
