This is Getting Out of Hand

[xoxoxoBruce]

SARASOTA, Florida (AP) — Owners of a Sarasota car wash have settled a lawsuit brought by a woman who blamed the business for hiring a sex offender who exposed himself to her.

The settlement between the woman and owners of the Eager Beaver Car Wash was reached this week as a trial jury deliberated whether to levy punitive damages against the business. Terms of the deal are confidential.

According to testimony, Andrew Resch was hired by the car wash about two weeks after he was released from prison in 2002. He was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct in 2000.

About six months after he was hired, Resch missed work because he was arrested for making sexual comments to a 16-year-old girl at a shopping mall in Sarasota, a violation of his probation.

Still employed two weeks later at the car wash, he exposed himself to the female customer. Resch pleaded guilty to indecent exposure and served a two-year prison sentence.

After he was convicted, the victim sued the car wash, saying it was negligent in hiring Resch and allowing him to keep his job.

Now wait a damn minute. OK, an employee screws up and goes to jail. An employer is responsible for the actions of their employees.

But, and a very big but, punitive damages becaused they hired an ex-con? They were supposed to be able to predict he'd do this?
Bullshit, that's preposterous.