Celebrity Justice
Jeans CEO Accused of Trying to Get in Employee's Pants

Rock and Republic clothing's CEO and lead designer, Michael Ball, is being sued by a former employee for sexual harassment.
Michael Ball, Rock and Republic
TMZ obtained the lawsuit, filed August 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, that claims in November of 2006, Nicole Baros interviewed with Ball to be his personal assistant. During the five-minute interview, Baros alleges Ball asked her if she "had a boyfriend." The lawsuit claims that during her first month of employment, Ball made unwanted sexual advances towards her, such as "touching her hair, and continually staring at Baros' breasts and butt," and one point told her he wanted to "sleep with her."

The lawsuit also alleges at the company Christmas party Ball "cornered Baros in a room and attempted to kiss her ... then proceeded to stick his hand down plaintiff's pants." Later that month, she says she went to Ball's home to have him sign company checks and he answered the door in his underwear. She then says he chased her "around his apartment, grabbed her and threw her on his bed."

In the end, Baros claims she was not selected to go to Fashion Week in New York City, and was "let go and was told that there was not enough work for her."

Rock and Republic clothing has adorned the backsides of celebrities like Carmen Electra, Kate Winslet and Avril Lavigne.

A rep for the fashion line did not return our call for comment.

Tags: Michael Ball, MichaelBall, Rock and Republic, RockAndRepublic

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 5) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:03AM on Aug 30th 2007 by ERIKA

47. Why oh why did she even except the job in the first place if at the interview he was asking personal questions if that true. And why continue to work for someone u say is sexually harassing. It does not sound like to me she ever said no please don't do that. And last of all why would u go to someone house alone who has been sexually harrassing you. Sorry honey I think this is just a case of sour grapes.

Posted at 4:01PM on Aug 28th 2007 by kendall

48. #40-Lori Jury...he looks good and all, but that's just nasty.

Posted at 8:09AM on Aug 28th 2007 by ewwwww

49. My first impression is that it's bs.
He's a goodlooking guy. He's apparently successful and probably financially well of, BUT he has to harass an unwilling employee from the moment he hires her?
Possible, but doubtful.
She's going to get a quick couple of hundred thousand, wait and see.

Posted at 8:34AM on Aug 28th 2007 by Kitty

50. Good looking man, i love him!! No matter what if he harrass me i don't care as long as he kiss me and put his hands on my butt.

Posted at 8:53AM on Aug 28th 2007 by Josephine

51. What a skank. She is probably like that idiot "Miss Teen S.C." who thought she could get by on looks and not brains. When she got canned she cried wolf! BTW I wouldn't mind getting harassed by that wolf. Does a self esteem goooooooooooooood!!!!

Posted at 9:34AM on Aug 28th 2007 by Derek Zoolander

52. might be a case of sour grapes from this woman but it maybe the truth, in this day and age who knows the real truth, i say put them both under lie dector tests and read the results

Posted at 9:46AM on Aug 28th 2007 by yes i am female

53. mmmmm if he is feeling the pain about this right now i can always visit and help him through it :)

Posted at 9:47AM on Aug 28th 2007 by chris

54. He' trying to force himself on her, she might have put up w/ it becuase she needed the job, finally got tired of it and the end result is he's a pig and should pay.

Posted at 9:57AM on Aug 28th 2007 by hardtak

55. I could only be so lucky. He'd probably be the one suing me instead of the other way around.

Posted at 11:10AM on Aug 28th 2007 by JaneAnne

56. You ALL are missing the point. It doesn't matter how HOT he is - sexual harrassment is heinous and against the law. What I wonder is why she stayed for so long when the harrassment became more and more overt? Very disturbing.

Posted at 6:46PM on Aug 28th 2007 by paisley40

57. another one night stand scorned slu*t..she just mad cause it was a wham bam thank you maam...he can touch me anytime and no lawsuit will emerge..he is sexxxy!

Posted at 12:52AM on Aug 29th 2007 by she wants more

58. ...he was hot at 16 working at the Galleria as a stock room clerk! ;)

Posted at 4:34PM on Aug 29th 2007 by pbs

59. As a former employee of the company . . . I can say that unfortunately none of this surprises me, he is slime and without even knowing this girl, I know it's true.

Posted at 8:32PM on Aug 29th 2007 by LA Girl

60. he is a babe

Posted at 2:04AM on Aug 30th 2007 by ERIKA

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