Portland Native Ousted From Coffee Business Amid Sex Allegations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- A Portland native has been ousted from his California company after several employees accused him of sexual assault. The San Francisco company, Four Barrel Coffee, will now change its name to Tide under the guidance of its two remaining owners, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The news of the name change comes after the Chronicle released a watchdog report detailing the allegations made by eight women who accused former owner and Portland native Jeremy Tooker for sexual assault. Tooker is now no longer a part of the company, the newspaper reported.

The investigation by the Chronicle includes interviews with multiple workers who said Tooker not only mistreated them but the other two owners, Jodi Geren and Tal Moore, "were aware of Tooker's behavior yet did not address complaints in an official capacity." The accusers have filed a lawsuit against the company and Tooker.

The Daily Coffee News reported the lawsuit details a "company culture of sexual harassment that included a 'secret menu' under which female baristas worked that listed a 'Dickens Cider,' pronounced 'dick inside her' for $50, merchandise showing breasts and nude women, and lewd music playing in a warehouse area."

The lawsuit also states the plaintiffs were inspired to speak out because of the #MeToo campaign, which encourages victims of sexual assault to speak about their experiences.

Aside from the name change, Geren and Moore told the Chronicle that "they also plan to make the company's employees its new owners."

Tooker has worked in the coffee industry for more than a decade. He started by co-founding Ritual Coffee Roaster in 2005, before founding Four Barrel Coffee in 2008. The once-popular coffee company has several locations in the region and serves its coffee at other shops.

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