Lawsuit accuses Anniston councilman of sexual harassment

Anniston City Councilman David Dawson

 Anniston, Al.
Anniston City Councilman David Dawson is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred last year at his former job with a pathology company.

Ashville resident Kay Dodd filed the lawsuit last week in Calhoun County Circuit Court. Regional Medical Center, Anniston Pathology Management Services and RMC employee Tim Jones are also named as defendants in the lawsuit. While Dawson is accused of sexual harassment, Jones, RMC and Anniston Pathology are accused of negligence in their duties.

Todd alleges in the lawsuit that Dawson created an inhospitable and hostile working environment at Anniston Pathology that culminated in him sexually harassing and assaulting her in August.

Dawson, reached by phone Monday afternoon, said he was unaware of the lawsuit. He acknowledged knowing Dodd from his former workplace. He said he did not threaten Dodd’s job, a claim made in the complaint, but de-clined to answer further questions about the suit. He said he had not been contacted by anyone investigating the allegations.

According to the suit, Todd has been employed by RMC as a cytotechnologist since 2005 and routinely worked with Anniston Pathology and its employees, which included Dawson. The councilman resigned from his job there in January after 30 years following what he said was a “disagreement” at the business.

Dodd in the suit demands compensatory and punitive compensation in amounts to be determined by a jury.