Workers sue Petco over explicit conversation

A sexually explicit conversation that was inadvertently broadcast on a store intercom system might have a local branch of a pet-supply company in hot water.

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Petco in Evans is being sued in federal court for discrimination, defamation of character, slander and sexual harassment, according to the suit filed by Augusta attorney John R.B. Long.

Long, representing Denise Atkinson and Cynthia Ballard, said that in June Atkinson, and anyone else in the store at the time, overheard a conversation among the store's general manager, store manager and a team leader regarding sexual encounters among employees.

According to the suit, during the conversation Atkinson and Ballard were said to be lesbian lovers and mocked in reference to their Christianity.

"This was basically like telling everybody my life was a lie," Atkinson said. "People would now question my faith, my religion, my belief in God."

The suit asks for actual and punitive damages against the store as well as payment of attorney's fees.

Kurt Peterson, with the Littler Mendelson firm in Atlanta, who is representing Petco, said he will "very shortly be filling a motion to end the case."