Principal Accused Of Sexually Harassing Former MCPS Employee

GERMANTOWN, MD — A former security guard with Montgomery County Public Schools is suing the school system, alleging he was sexually harassed by a female principal and eventually fired for reporting her sexual advances.

In the 12-page federal lawsuit, Scott Wilson claims that John T. Baker Middle School Principal Louise Worthington began sexually harassing him in 2014.

The lawsuit describes several instances of "unwanted sexual advances," including one in which Worthington asked Wilson to show her around his farm after she had finished giving speeches at local elementary schools. After seeing the farm, Worthington allegedly "insisted" that she see his bedroom.

"(Wilson) was extremely uncomfortable with Dr. Worthington's request but relented both because Dr. Worthington was his employer and because she had been very helpful to (him) in his career, as well as because Dr. Worthington was allowing (his) daughters to attend Baker Middle School despite living outside the boundary," the lawsuit states.

Wilson alleges that Worthington then laid on his bed and told him that she was "waiting for him."

According to court documents, Wilson turned down Worthington's request and insisted that they go back to school.

In another instance, Worthington is accused of taking Wilson's keys, putting them in her underwear, and leading him back to her office. The suit claims Worthington returned the keys after he "insisted" that she give them back. When she returned the keys, the principal allegedly made a sexually inappropriate comment.

In early 2015, Wilson reported the instances of sexual harassment to MCPS's cluster security supervisor, Wayne Farrell.

According to the lawsuit, Farrell insisted he would investigate the incidents, but instead told the principal of his claims. An investigation was not launched into the matter.

Once Worthington found out about the claims, Wilson said she began retaliating against him.

The lawsuit states that Worthington left Wilson "alone in the cafeteria during lunch periods to supervise several hundred students," moved his desk next to hers "so she could keep him in close proximity," and "blackballed (Wilson) at four other schools where he attempted to gain new employment."

"In each instance, (Wilson) was determined to be highly qualified but after his interviews and reference checks, (he) did not receive job offers," the lawsuit said.

In February of 2017, Wilson was arrested in Washington, D.C., for illegal possession of a firearm and false impersonation of a police office. According to the suit, Wilson immediately told his supervisors about the charges, who said he should continue working.

Wilson's firearm, the lawsuit says, is legally registered to him by the State of Maryland. And the charges against him were ultimately reduced to attempted possession of an unregistered firearm. As a result, Wilson was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation.

In May 2017, the cluster security supervisor reported Wilson's allegations of sexual harassment against Worthington to Upper MCPS Cluster Superintendent Daryl Williams.

Soon after, Wilson was placed on administrative leave. He was fired from his job in January of 2018.

"Terminating (Wilson) from his long-term position with MCPS is not only a gross overreaction to (Wilson's) mistake and arrest, but defendant also used the arrest as subterfuge in light of the other facts in this case, namely in retaliation for reporting Dr. Worthington's sexual advances and harassment," the lawsuit said.

According to court documents, Wilson is seeking more than $1 million in damages from MCPS.

An MCPS spokeswoman has commented on the lawsuit, telling multiple media outlets that it "thoroughly investigated" the claims and found them to be "unsubstantiated."

According to the MCPS website, Worthington is still principal at the middle school.