American Apparel Exec Made Teen His ‘Sex Slave,’ Lawsuit Says
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
“We love AA!” exclaims the handwritten note posted on American Apparel founder Dov Charney’s personal home page from a staffer named “Krystal.” But Charney got a less sanguine message yesterday from another female subordinate: Irene Morales, a former American Apparel store manager, is suing the bicoastal schmatte mogul for making her his “sex slave” and “ sodomizing her” on her 18th birthday, according to the New York Post.
Morales was only 17 “and working as a Manhattan sales clerk for the racy teen retailer in 2007 when her dirty-old-man boss slobbered to her that he wanted them to have sex when she turned 18, according to the stunning, $250 million suit filed yesterday in Brooklyn Supreme Court,” the Post reported.
And in April 2008, just after the high schooler’s birthday, “Charney pounced, the suit says. The alleged lecher — who in the past had been targeted by a slew of sexual-harassment suits — demanded that the beautiful brunette come to his Manhattan apartment, the suit says.”
Indeed, the Forward reported last year that online magazine Jezebel had named Charney “America’s sexual-harassiest CEO” for the company’s photo-based hiring decisions, and the company higher-ups’ apparent habit of critiquing (and mocking) their retail drones’ appearances.
Charney, the UK Guardian noted today, also “built a fashion empire around hipster chic and a louche lifestyle that embraced pornography and lascivious advertising.… His past antics included having oral sex with an employee in front of a journalist and appearing in his underwear with two women in an ad headlined “In bed with the boss.” Charney has not commented on the new accusations, the Guardian said. But the 42-year-old has pooh-pooh’d previous claims of harassment as “sexual shame tactics.”
Charney’s own web site makes no reference to his personal challenges, focusing instead on his Jewish background, Quebec upbringing, Montreal bagels and immigration.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
