Employee Brings Sexual Harassment and Rape Charges Against Teddy Bear Giant Steiff
Jane Collins, an employee of the luxury teddy bear company Steiff, has made allegations against Martin Frechen, the company’s CEO, claiming that he sexually harassed her for years, and raped her. Collins alleges that the sexual harassment began in September 2004. Frechen’s conduct included trying to get her to perform sexual acts, rearranging her schedule so that she was forced to work with him, repeatedly grabbing her and trying to force himself upon her and trapping her in a car and raping her. Collins says she didn’t report the rape because she is a single mother and was “terrified” of losing her job.
Collins is also bringing charges against Steiff’s North American CEO James Pitoco, claiming he ignored her complaints about Frechen. Chief Financial Officer Deiter Statzinger says the company “resolutely den[ies] the allegations in the complaint and will vigorously defend the claims in court.” Collins is bringing charges for $80 million in damages.
