Woman Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Wayne-Based AAA Of North Jersey

WAYNE, N.J. — A woman filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against AAA of North Jersey, its president, and chairman of the board, alleging she was shown a drawing of male genitalia and subjected to a hostile work environment over the course of several years at the Wayne-based company.

Shanique Wells, filed the lawsuit in Passaic County Superior Court Thursday. She began working for AAA of North Jersey in 2013 as a marketing manager and was later promoted to director of marketing.

Wells claims there were six “negative” or “uncomfortable” encounters between herself and David Hughes, AAA of North Jersey’s president.

Hughes allegedly drew a picture of male genitalia as a way of illustrating how “a guy reached his goal,” in 2015 and told her that a colleague had “a nice rack” and that he used similar language to describe a woman in a bikini he met on vacation, in 2013 and 2014, respectively. There were other reported incidents involving Hughes in July 2015 and this year, the complaint states.

The human resources manager indicted that although she was made aware of the alleged incidents, “her hands were tied” because Hughes is president of the company and “all things had to go through him.”

Wells reportedly told Vice President James Dugan of Hughes’ alleged actions, but no investigation was conducted, nor was no disciplinary taken against him, according to the lawsuit.

“When she was reporting these things, the company just let it go by,” said Kenyatta K. Stewart, Wells’ attorney. “The board of directors did not do anything about it.”

Wells is seeking compensatory damages, back pay, benefits, punitive and “emotional distress” damages, and attorney fees. The lawsuit does not specify the exact monetary amount Wells is seeking.

Stewart said Wells was prescribed anti-anxiety medication and has been on leave from work since June as a result of the treatment she allegedly received at her place of work.

Steve Rajczyk, manager of public and government services for AAA of North Jersey, did not respond to an email and phone message seeking comment.

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Photo: AAA of North Jersey — Courtesy of Rachel Noerdlinger