Snappy Auctions founder sues tech recycler, former Nashville attorney

Debbie Gordon claims she was improperly fired by AERC, throws in sexual harassment charge against local board member to boot

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Debbie Gordon in happier days

Debbie Gordon, the entrepreneur behind eBay storefront business Snappy Auctions has filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court alleging that she was improperly fired by technology recycler AERC Solutions. In addition to claims against AERC, she has also added sexual harassment claims against one of the Pennsylvania-based company’s local board members.

S3 Consulting, Gordon’s e-commerce software and marketing company, was contracted by AERC last October to license its asset management software.

To fully implement the software, Gordon was brought in as a salaried employee of AERC with the title of vice president of technology and consulting services. Her employment was to run 18 months, concurrent with the software licensing deal.

Last month, however, Gordon claims that AERC failed to pay her the salary and benefits outlined in the employment agreement. On May 2, the company informed her that it was terminating both her employment and the licensing agreement with S3.

In the filing, Gordon also lobs accusations of sexual harassment against AERC board member and former local attorney James Beckner. Beckner, she claims, made comments concerning her skirt length and – NashvillePost.com can only guess here – in what must have been taken as a nod to 1950s era gender politics, told Gordon to stand beside a vacuum cleaner.

Representing Gordon in the matter are Boult Cummings Conners & Berry attorneys Russ Morgan and Luther Wright.

Lindsey Landmesser, a vice president with AERC, issued the following statement in response to inquiries by NashvillePost.com:

We are aware of a complaint filed by a former employee. The allegations against our company and a company executive are baseless, not true and without merit. The facts will show that this is a groundless complaint and we will vigorously contest this.

As the vice president of AERC and the daughter of the founder, I can assure you that harassment of any nature is absolutely not tolerated. All of our employees are required to review policies and follow the guidelines in our handbook ensuring compliance. Providing a safe, tolerant and positive workplace has and will continue to be a priority in our company.

As policy we don’t discuss employee matters or legal complaints with the media so I will decline to go into any further detail. What I will tell you is this. There is absolutely no truth to these allegations. The claim is unwarranted and completely unjustified.