Winery owned by Devin Nunes sued for ‘coke and prostitute party’

A winery partly owned by Republican Devin Nunes has been sued for holding a fundraiser where guests were allegedly offered cocaine and prostitutes.

Employee Alene Anase filed a lawsuit against the Alpha Omega Winery in 2016, claiming she was sexually harassed and suffered emotional distress.

Anase says she was asked to work aboard a cruise on San Francisco Bay in 2015 that had been auctioned off to 25 top male investors in the company for charity.

In 2015 the company held an auction for a boat party - 25 men won the auction and allegedly took cocaine and had sex with prostitutes at the party

Republican Devin Nunes (left) is part owner of Alpha Omega Winery which held a boat party in 2015 where 25 male auction winners allegedly took cocaine and had sex with prostitutes

She alleges the men took what looked like cocaine and drew straws for sex workers, The Fresno Bee reported.

The lawsuit claimed: ‘Plaintiff was extremely disturbed by the presence of the prostitutes, especially because it appeared that some of the girls were too young to consent to sexual activity.’

She also alleged that some of the men at the party told her she should ‘provide services of a sexual nature’.

In the lawsuit Anase says that after she complained she was told by the company’s marketing director to ‘lie low’ and try to do as little as possible in order to avoid harassment’.

Employee Alene Anase filed a lawsuit against the company in 2016. She claims she was asked to work aboard the cruise party on San Francisco Bay in 2015

Employee Alene Anase filed a lawsuit against the company in 2016. She claims she was asked to work aboard the cruise party on San Francisco Bay in 2015

The suit included six allegations, including sexual harassment, emotional distress and retaliation. 

Anase said she received counseling for psychological trauma and became depressed and anxious after her experiences at the party.

Her lawsuit was settled in 2016 for an undisclosed amount at the Napa County Superior Court, according to the Bee. 

In November 2016, Alpha Omega spokeswoman Kelly Carter said: ‘In August 2015, the yacht was used as part of an auction package purchased by a group of individuals who are not affiliated with Alpha Omega in any way. 

It's not clear how big of a stake Nunes has in the business but it's thought he invested between $50,000 and $100,000 after selling his dairy farm in 2006

It’s not clear how big of a stake Nunes has in the business but it’s thought he invested between $50,000 and $100,000 after selling his dairy farm in 2006

‘No one in the group had any personal or business connection to the winery or its owners, and no Alpha Omega staff knew anyone in the group. 

‘We refined our policies for the charitable donation of the yacht immediately upon learning of the incident and before a lawsuit was filed.’ 

‘Robin has made a point to never mix politics with the business of Alpha Omega. Our business model is simple: grow great grapes, make great wine, hire great people and provide our customers with a great experience.’

It’s not clear how big of a stake Nunes has in the business, but he is thought to be a friend of the owner Robin Baggett. 

The Bee reports that he invested between $50,000 and $100,000 after selling his dairy farm in 2006. 

Nunes didn’t respond to a request for comment by the website.



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