Bound'ry and owner sued for sexual harassment

Two former employees allege lewd behavior and unresponsive management

Email | Print By Glenna DeRoy

Two former employees have sued The Bound'ry and one of its owners, Joe Davis, for sexual harassment.

Jessica Pauley and Carrie McKinney allege in the civil suit filed this week in Davidson County Chancery Court that Davis, the brother-in-law of Nashville mayor Karl Dean, engaged in repeated lewd behavior toward them while they were employed at the restaurant.

The legal complaint, a copy of which is available at this link, alleges that management knew Davis' actions had been a problem in the past but did nothing about his behavior, which "included, but was not limited to groping restaurant staff and sexual comments to and about female employees."

The two seek monetary compensation for emotional distress, decreased professional opportunities and financial damages. Kevin Sharp of Drescher & Sharp will represent the women. He is in Memphis today and could not be reached for comment.

"What they're alleging is unfounded and untrue as far as my actions are concerned," said Davis, whose sister Anne is married to the mayor. "It's a shame somebody is doing this to me and trying to smear me in this manner." He referred all other comment to his lawyer, Phil Elbert of Neal & Harwell.

Scott Haynes of Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry will represent the restaurant. Elbert and Haynes could not be reached for comment.

McKinney said she encountered "severe and perverse" harassment as soon as she began work, alleging that she was made uncomfortable by Davis' stares and comments such as, "I love your legs," and "I'm a dirty old man."

The suit also claims Davis groped McKinney and slid his hands between her legs and up the inside of her thighs. McKinney rejected his behavior and reported it, but according to the suit, nothing was done.

Pauley further asserts that she was not paid the salary she was promised when hired and encountered financial difficulties as a result. She alleges that Davis offered at that time to pay her bills in exchange for sex, an offer she refused and reported to management.

Management did nothing about her claims, according to the suit, and instead she was "belittled and alienated" at work.