Lawsuit Filed Against CEO of Big Sandy Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PAINTSVILLE — Three women, Casey Vanhoose, Kaitlynn Cantrell and Kelly Burton filed a lawsuit against Bruce Aaron Davis, CEO of Big Sandy Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (Big Sandy RECC) for sexual harassment.

Vanhoose has been employed as a billing representative at Big Sandy RECC since July 15, 2019, Cantrell has been employed as a member service representative since Dec. 9, 2020 and Burton has been employed there as a data processor since January 2019.

Big Sandy RECC is a public utility in the business of distributing retail electric power to member customers in Johnson, Floyd, Martin, Lawrence, Morgan, Magoffin, Knott and Breathitt counties, which has seven board members.

Vanhoose states in the complaint that she has been continually sexually harassed by Davis for at least four years.

The complaint says the sexual harassment committed by Davis included him continually physically touching Vanhoose on numerous occasions, with the most recent touching being during the fall of 2023.

Vanhoose alleges in the lawsuit that Davis would follow her into the women’s bathroom and make lewd comments, including inviting Vanhoose to give him a kiss or smoke a cigarette.

The touching by Davis was accompanied by him making numerous sexual comments which included inquiring as to whether or not Vanhoose would be interested in sexually “massaging” him “with a happy ending,” the complaint said, and also asking her to meet him in a private location with the clear implication being for a sexual encounter.

Vanhoose alleges in the complaint that Davis also made numerous other sexually inappropriate statements not only to herself but at least three other former employees.

Vanhoose stated in the complaint that as a result of the continuous sexual innuendo comments which she believes were intensely harassing, she has sustained extreme emotion suffering and has incurred medical bills due to mental health treatment caused by Davis.

Cantrell states in the complaint that she is aware of the continuous sexual comments made to Vanhoose and that she, herself, has also been the recipient of unwelcome sexual harassment comments by Davis.

Cantrell alleges that Davis told her that she should alter her appearance so her breasts would be more visible and she stated in the complaint that the comments were made in 2021.

Cantrell says in the complaint that she was embarrassed and humiliated, not only to receive the sexual harassment she personally endured from Davis, but the fact that she was aware that he making similar comments to other female employees.

Burton said in the complaint that in July of 2021, Davis made sexual comments to her that included him stating that he desired for her to give him a massage and that the statement was made in a sexual context.

Burton said in the complaint she was told to call her supervisor so she could leave work and meet him at a private location for what was clearly implied to be a sexual encounter.

Burton went on to say that she had also received unwelcome text messages, which included that

Davis thought the appearance of her eye was “hot,” which she understood to be an unwelcome sexual reference.

Vanhoose, Cantrell and Burton also said in the complaint that they have personal knowledge that not only were the three of them sexually harassed but that Davis sexually harassed other female employees and he understood that his position as CEO of the company allowed him to sexually harass multiple female employees due to his prominent position and the victim’s fear of retaliation.

All three women said in the complaint that the sexual advances to them were all unwelcome and that they suffered embarrassment, suffering and humiliation as a result of the conduct described.

All three women stated in the complaint that the members of the Board of the Big Sandy RECC have known of the sexual harassment in that Kraig Shireman, who was employed as a billing manager, learned of the sexual harassment and personally reported it to the executive secretary, Judy McClure.

The three women said in the complaint that McClure likely learned about the scope of the sexual harassment being perpetrated by Davis since it commenced in 2020 and continued into 2024.

Vanhoose, Cantrell and Burton said in the complaint that on information and belief, state that their complaints to McClure were likely passed up to other supervisors and that Big Sandy RECC was negligent and or indifferent to the complaints from the multiple sexual harassment perpetrated by Davis.

Vanhoose, Cantrell and Burton said in the complaint that Davis not only sexually harassed them, but has made numerous statements to them and others that if they dared complain about the sexual harassment, their jobs would be in jeopardy.

The three women allege in the complaint that the allegations contained in this complaint all constitute actionable claims under KRS 344.450, which allows them to file civil suits against their employers and to seek compensation, including attorney’s fees for the misconduct in the complaint.

Vanhoose, Cantrell and Burton stated in the complaint that Big Sandy RECC, negligently and carelessly, in violation of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act failed to take reasonable steps to protect them from the continued harassment of Davis and allowed a sexual hostile work environment for years to exist and they were deliberately indifferent and violated their rights to be free from sexual discrimination.

They are asking for judgment against Davis in his individual capacity and as an agent of Big Sandy RECC as well as Big Sandy RECC; compensation for the humiliation, pain and suffering, medical expenses; punitive damages against Davis in his individual capacity for his sexual touching and battery of Vanhoose; Attorney’s fees; a trial by jury and any and all other relief for which they appear to be entitled.