The Texas Association of Business and its CEO, Glenn Hamer, have been sued by a woman who alleges sexual harassment, assault, coercion, and retaliation, according to a lawsuit filed Monday by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee.
The suit, filed in Travis County, seeks more than $10 million and alleges that Hamer “coerced, sexually harassed, ultimately sexually assaulted and then retaliated against” a woman identified as Jane Doe.
Buzbee had teased the lawsuit on Friday afternoon, saying it would be against an “influential” Austin lobby group.
In a video released Monday afternoon, Buzbee said, “The Buzbee law firm filed a lawsuit this morning against the Texas Association of Business and its CEO, Glenn Hamer,” adding that the case was brought by a woman who he described as “a college graduate,” and “an accomplished and respected young woman.”
Buzbee explained that Jane Doe founded the Texas Venture Alliance, an advocacy group for startups, and that Hamer later became its chairman. According to Buzbee, this arrangement allowed Hamer to use his position to “offer benefits to both her and TVA that he had access to through his status as head of TAB,” and introduce her to influential figures in the business community.
Buzbee said the lawsuit asserts that Jane Doe attempted to reject personal advances, stating that she “didn’t want a relationship with Hammer” and tried to “establish boundaries.”
“Her lawsuit sets forth that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He begged, he pleaded, he harassed, he even cried,” said Buzbee.
Regarding the allegations of physical conduct, Buzbee stated that “on one occasion, he assaulted her multiple times by trying to remove her pants. At one point he even tried to mount her.” He said Doe resisted and “was able to get him off of her,” and that Hamer allegedly “cried and pleaded” and even “chased her, barefoot and in his pajamas through a hotel.”
The lawsuit also claims retaliation after she rejected his advances.
“Hamer was in a position to hurt Jane Doe, and the lawsuit alleges in detail that he did so,” Buzbee said, adding that Doe experienced both “emotional and financial” harm.
Hamer has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted, according to TAB Board of Directors Chair Bill Jones.
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