Veterans Nonprofit CEO Sexually Harassed 12+ Women, Suit Alleges

WENATCHEE, WA — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a lawsuit against a Wenatchee-based non-profit for veterans, accusing its CEO and founder of sexually harassing at least 12 women.

The suit alleges that Operation Veterans Assistance & Humanitarian Aid (OVAHA) CEO Thelbert “Thad” Lawson Jr. harassed 10 employees who worked at his non-profit's two stores, the Veterans Warehouse Thrift Store in Wenatchee, and the Veterans Thrift Store in Kennewick, subjecting them to "pervasive, ongoing sexual harassment, including offensive and unwanted touching, sexually charged remarks and inappropriate requests", the Attorney General's Office (AGO) said.

“My team will use all the tools we have to stop workplace harassment and discrimination,” Ferguson said. “Everyone deserves a safe work environment free from abuse.”

The suit alleges that harassment ranged from touching employees without permission, to straight-up asking them to watch pornography with him and telling them he would like to have sex with them.

Several victims reportedly tried to contact Lawson's wife and OVAHA board president Karen Monroe, but she repeatedly dismissed those claims.

Lawson even retaliated against one employee who strongly objected, the AGO said. When he discovered the employee had consulted with a lawyer about harassment, he began tracking her over store cameras, changed her lunch break, so she would be isolated from other employees, and took away her position as a cashier, the suit claims.

In 2021, Lawson was convicted of sexually harassing two members of the public, one of whom was a volunteer at OVAHA’s Wenatchee store. He was charged with two counts of assault for the incidents, but used OVAHA money to post appeal bond, allowing him to stay out of jail and working at his stores.

The AGO says, as the new complaints show, Lawson has not learned from his previous convictions. The suit aims to permanently ban Lawson from working at OVAHA stores, and reimburse the victims for their abuse. The AGO is also calling on any other potential victims to step forward.

“Washingtonians have a right to a workplace free from sexual harassment,” said Sharon Ortiz, executive director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission. “If your employer is subjecting you to harassment or discrimination, you don’t have to put up with it. Report it.”