Reviews for Weston Entertainment LP
Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation Alleged Against Weston Entertainment KBHT/KBPC RADIO
GRAPELAND – Sometimes a name says it all. KBHT 93.5 FM has not broadcast from Grapeland for over a year now. Rumors about why the radio station went off the air have swirled since they ceased operations in June of last year. The truth behind these rumors may soon come to light in a Houston County courtroom.
Known as “The Outlaw”, the upper management of 93.5 KBHT allegedly took the nickname to the extreme. A lawsuit filed in the Third Judicial District Court, alleges Weston Entertainment, who purchased the station from local operator Nicol Broadcasting Company in 2006, and specifically alleged, Weston employees or agents Eric Eisbrenner and Don Raumaker, engaged in practices of sexual harassment, disability discrimination and retaliation against the plaintiffs. In addition, Raumaker is being sued for assault.
The plaintiffs in the case are former Weston Entertainment “on air” personalities Carla Leigh Turner (“Carla Leigh“) and Jimmy Heil (“Jimmy ‘the Hitman’ Hill”). The civil case information sheet alleges discrimination, retaliation and harassment. This is a public record, you can go request a copy of this at the courthouse.” The suit was filed on June 21.
Both Turner and Heil received their right-to-sue letters from the Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division on May 6 of this year.
The lawsuit alleges Weston Entertainment employees, Eisbrenner and Raumaker, were introduced to the staff as “….partners and consultants for Weston Entertainment.”
Raumaker spent more time at the station than Eisbrenner, and began making Turner uncomfortable by paying inordinate attention to her, persistently asking her to have dinner and drinks, and promising her various career advancements.”
While Turner rebuffed the advances, the lawsuit indicates Raumaker was incessant.“He began talking about the size of his (male genitalia), the sexual disinterest of his wife, his resulting need for a ‘Palestine girlfriend’ and claiming extraordinary sexual capabilities,” the court filing stated.
It further stated,“Raumaker also described to Turner in graphic terms what he wanted to do, sexually, with a co-worker who he promoted to office manager.”
Other allegations in the suit include: Raumaker dropping his pants in front of Turner and threatening to remove his underwear; “inappropriately (touching) her leg, rear end, neck and arms;” yanking her off a chair while she was doing her broadcast; and “while Turner was on-air, Raumaker approached her from behind and reached around Turner’s front and cupped her breasts.”
Turner attempted to talk with Eisbrenner about Raumaker’s conduct but indicated he was less than receptive. Turner contacted Lydia Hankins, a vice president with Weston Entertainment.
Hankins contacted Heil, Turner’s on-air partner, who confirmed Turner’s reports. As a result of this, the suit alleges Turner was demoted.
Heil and Turner went to the Grapeland Police and gave written statements.
Afterwords, Hankins contacted Turner and informed her that Raumaker was in charge, and he had Weston’s support, he could do or say what he wanted and they needed to get behind Raumaker or quit.”
“Hankins had a similar conversation with Heil and made the same statement.
Duties and promised commissions were taken away from Turner. The lawsuit stated,“There were dramatic changes to Turner’s job.
Once Weston Entertainment became aware of Heil's support for Turner, Eisbrenner told the him to take a mandatory vacation. two week paid holiday. Eisbrenner changed the locks and locked Heil out of his e-mail account. Eisbrenner instructed Heil to return to work on October 3rd and abruptly fired him.”
In the meantime, Weston Entertainment successfully changed in Call Letters, from KBHT to KBPC.
Weston Entertainment or an associated entity began broadcasting as KBPC “Pine Country” 93.5 on or about July 1, 2013