Joy Steeves, former employee of Casteen Dental Corporation, located in Bakersfield, California, filed a civil lawsuit against Casteen Dental
Corporation and Dr. Richard Casteen alleging Dr. Casteen sexually harassed her in the workplace and retaliated against her when she reported his harassment. Ms. Steeves alleges in her complaint the company failed to investigate her complaints against Dr. Casteen or
take any action against Dr. Casteen to protect her from his harassment. Instead, Ms. Steeves alleges in her lawsuit that company management terminated her.
The complaint also alleges that Defendant Casteen Dental Corporation knew of Dr. Casteen’s sexual harassment of female employees for years before and failed to conduct adequate investigations of the previous sexual harassments complaints made by female employees. Ms. Steeves alleges that Casteen Dental Corporation received other claims for sexual harassment against Dr. Casteen over the years and that up to four women filed civil lawsuits of sexual harassment against Dr. Casteen, which the company settled. Ms. Steeves alleges that throughout her employment Dr. Casteen acted inappropriately with her and other female employees, but his harassment intensified when Ms. Steeves was promoted to work directly with Dr. Casteen. Ms. Steeves alleges Dr. Casteen told Ms. Steeves he wanted to have sex with her, that she aroused him, that he called her vulgar names, rubbed her body without her consent, unzipped her blouse without her consent, and forcibly kissed her.
The complaint alleges that Dr. Casteen’s actions are similar to those made by the four other women in civil lawsuits previously filed against Dr. Casteen and Casteen Dental Corporation. In one of the lawsuits, the former employee alleged Dr. Casteen had propositioned her for group sex, told her he wanted to have sex with her, forcibly kissed and licked her, and exposed his penis to her. In other lawsuits, other former employees alleged that Dr. Casteen forcibly grabbed them, kissed them, and licked their faces without consent. These prior civil lawsuits were settled.
Ms. Steeves’s case against Casteen Dental Corporation and Dr. Richard Casteen is set for trial on February 21, 2023 in the Superior County of Kern.
Makarem & Associates represents victims of workplace sexual harassment, attorney misconduct, sexual assault and wrongful termination. The dedicated legal team of experienced attorneys specialize in sexual harassment cases throughout California. Led by Ron Makarem, a Thomson Reuters rated Top 100 Attorney, Makarem & Associates has successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars for victims of unlawful workplace conduct, harassment and retaliation.
