Harassment charge levied against Liberty Bank

Former financial adviser Michele Osborn alleges her supervisor, Phil Wannenmacher, manager of Liberty Investment Services Inc., discriminated against her and sexually harassed her from February 2003, when she started, until she resigned Feb. 24.

On April 20, Osborn filed the charge with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

EEOC spokeswoman Sharron Blalock said she couldn’t acknowledge the charge unless EEOC files a lawsuit on Osborn’s behalf. Investigations typically last 60 days to nine months. Springfield Business Journal obtained a copy of the charge from Osborn’s attorney, Anderson Law Group in Kansas City.

Denise Anderson and Stephanie Mendenhall represent Osborn. Mendenhall said EEOC hasn’t assigned an investigator to the case yet.

Gary Metzger, president and CEO of Liberty Bank, also is mentioned in the charge and accused of knowing about the harassment and not taking action. The charge states that Metzger “told Mrs. Osborn not to tell anyone about what Mr. Wannenmacher had done to her.”

Wannenmacher, a former state representative, and Metzger could not be reached for comment. A Liberty Investment representative said Wannenmacher was out of the office the week of June 26. SBJ left repeated messages on Metzger’s voicemail and with his assistant.

Osborn deferred comment to her attorneys.

The charge does not give detailed descriptions of the alleged harassment and discrimination.

“It’s just to give the other side – the employer – and the EEOC some indication of your claim,” said Mendenhall, who also declined to elaborate.

Mendenhall said she would provide EEOC with additional documentation as requested.

Osborn is seeking punitive damages.

The charge states:

“When Mrs. Osborn asked Mr. Wannenmacher to stop, he retaliated against her by intentionally subjecting her to ridicule and humiliation in front of her co-workers, causing her to suffer anxiety, distress, physical pain and suffering and other non-pecuniary damages. Mr. Wannenmacher acknowledged his illegal conduct, retorting he was not going to change and would do whatever he wants.”