A Putnam County dentist is being accused of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment, according to a complaint filed in the Putnam County Circuit Court.
Brenda Perry and her husband, Gregory, allege Charles McElfish sexually harassed and abused Brenda Perry while she worked for him, the complaint says.
According to the complaint, Brenda was hired to clean, organize and landscape at McElfish's dental practice in Hurricane in March 2007. A year later, McElfish hired her to clean and landscape at his residence, the complaint says.
During her employment for McElfish, he would tell Brenda Perry she had a "nice ass" and asked her if she was a "tushy girl," meaning if she enjoyed anal sex, the complaint says.
On multiple occasions, Brenda Perry alleges an intoxicated McElfish would show her an envelope of cash and ask how far it would get him, according to the complaint.
Brenda Perry also alleges a dental hygienist employed by McElfish sexually assaulted her in the presence of McElfish, the complaint says. McElfish told the office manager to fire the dental hygienist, but the office manager told McElfish she could not fire the hygienist for doing what McElfish does himself, the complaint says.
After Brenda Perry had rejected McElfish's sexual advances numerous times, McElfish changed his ringtone so that when Brenda Perry called him, it would ring, "Brenda the f------ b---- is calling," according to the complaint.
Brenda Perry also alleges McElfish shredded her paychecks in front of her, and withheld paychecks for up to one month at a time, the complaint says.
Brenda Perry rejected all of McElfish's sexual advances, the complaint says, and McElfish's unwanted and illegal sexual misconduct forced Brenda Perry to resign from her position in September 2014. She last worked for McElfish on Oct. 4, 2014.
As a direct result of McElfish's mistreatment and abuse, the complaint says Brenda Perry has suffered severe emotional and mental distress, humiliation, anxiety, embarrassment, depression, aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience. The complaint says Brenda Perry also suffered lost wages and benefits.
A receptionist at McElfish's dental practice said McElfish did not want to provide a comment.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.