Bakery Ex-Employee Alleges Sexual Harassment In Complaint Filed Against Former Mayor, Her Husband

A woman claims she was sexually harassed while she worked at a Santa Cruz bakery by her supervisor, who is married to a former mayor, her attorney said today.

Palo Alto-based attorney Katrina Saleen filed a complaint Thursday in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on behalf of 23-year-old Savanna Halliwell, who was allegedly harassed while working at Emily’s Good Things To Eat from 2012 to May. The complaint lists former Santa Cruz Mayor and bakery owner Emily Reilly; her husband, Robert Nahas, and the bakery as defendants.

Reilly started serving as Santa Cruz city councilwoman between 2001 and 2008, and served for two terms as mayor in 2003 and 2007. She is also a realtor at Bailey Properties.

The bakery was formed in 1982 and is located at 1129 Mission St., according to its website.

Nahas allegedly gave Halliwell unwanted kisses; sniffed and touched her hair; groped over and underneath her clothing; licked her coffee cup and smelled her belongings, according to the complaint.

As her supervisor, Nahas allegedly blocked off a door to an office until Halliwell hugged him, the complaint states.

Nahas allegedly discussed his sex life with Halliwell and asked about hers, the complaint states.

When the 23-year-old woman spoke out against the alleged harassment to Reilly and Nahas, the couple did not “perform a timely investigation” into her claims, the complaint states.

“It’s more concerning that after she had the courage to complain, it still happened,” Saleen said.

Instead the couple allegedly reduced Halliwell’s duties as bakery manager, took away her authority to fire employees and disciplined her for firing an “insubordinate” worker, according to the complaint. Halliwell was “constructively discharged,” or in other words forced to quit her job, Saleen said.

The complaint alleges the sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination Halliwell faced violated the state Fair Employment and Housing Act. The complaint seeks unspecified damages due to mental and physical distress Halliwell suffered in addition to lost wages and benefits in an amount to be determined in court.

The main reason Halliwell filed the complaint was so “other people in her position wouldn’t be subjected to sexual harassment if they got a job there,” Saleen said.

Saleen said her client “wants other young women to see that they can stand up for themselves.”

Attorney Christopher Panetta, who is representing Reilly, Nahas, and the bakery, was not available for comment today on the complaint.

--Bay City News

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