Bed-Stuy Woman Files $250 Million Law Suit for Sexual Harassment Against Retail Mogul

A Brooklyn woman is suing her former boss to the tune of $250 million in damages because, she alleges, for eight months while she was a teen, he forced her to have sex with him.

The woman- who is now 20 and lives on the Bed-Stuy/East New York border— is filing the suit against Dov Charney, the charismatic founder of American Apparel clothing line.

In the court papers, she states, the harassment began when she was 17, in 2007, soon after she was hired. When she turned 18, it turned into sodomy and forced sex, then continued off and on until she finally quit in 2010.

Charney has been sued for sexual harassment in the past, but none of those cases was proven in court.

She alleges that for eight months, during the time of her employment, Charney repeatedly forced her to perform sexual acts and threatened to fire her if she refused.

According to the suit: “Immediately after obtaining her contact information, Charney began telephoning her at all hours, while at work and when at home, demanding details about her sexual history and interests, and also, making it clear her employment would be forfeited if she did not comply.”

She alleges she was shocked and horrified by his advances. The suit says she became depressed, suffered an emotional breakdown and eventually had to be hospitalized for several days.

Also according to the suit: “Plaintiff, desperate to earn an income and unable to find a position that paid as well, attempted to restructure her work to that of an independent contractor in hope of avoiding Defendant Charney, but was unable to do so as he continually preyed upon her.”

However, as late as the summer of 2010, she again was induced to visit Charney at his home in Los Angeles where she was subjected to extreme psychological abuse and torment.

The suit, filed Friday, also names the clothing company and its board of directors as defendants for allegedly knowing about Charney's lewd behavior but not stopping it.

Lawyers for Dov Charney say plaintiff is trying to exploit his celebrity status and that plaintiff "resigned with a letter of gratitude regarding her positive experience at the company."