(Filed Under Fashion News). A former employee of Los Angeles-based American Apparel filed a lawsuit against the company on December 1st at the California Superior Court. Later the same day, the company filed a suit asking that her case be dismissed and accused the employee's attorney, Keith A. Fink, of an "extortion attempt against American Apparel."

Dov Charney, the company's CEO and founder, and Wei-Ween Y. Vicorino, also known as Nikky Yang, accused each other of theft, fraud, sexual harassment, wrongful termination and breach of contract. As reported on the New York Post, the suit also alleges that Charney forced Yang to move inventory between stores, resulting in "inflated sales and false net profits."

Yang, who claims she is Charney's ex girlfriend, said she did not receive company shares, as promised, and when she demanded them, she was fired by Joyce Crucillo, the company's general counsel. There is no proof that stocks were ever promised to Yang.

The lawsuit further claims that Charney forced Yang to work with him while he was naked and that he would call her as he was watching porn. Yang also claimed that Charney would favor female employees with whom he had previously slept.

Crucillo said the lawsuit was meritless and that the sexual harassment claims are false. There are other lawsuits filed against Charney and the company, two of which were filed by clients of Fink, stating sexual harassment and wrongful termination; Crucillo deemed those meritless as well.

Both lawyers expect the cases related to Yang will be consolidated.

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Published 12-09-2008 by Bruna Fernandes