Some say Ross harassed housekeepers; others refute wrongdoing

Housekeeping manager Paul Ross has been accused by three of his employees of sexual harassment, verbal abuse and theft. And while some housekeepers have supported Ross's accusers, two Physical Plant workers defended him yesterday. Earlier this week, Brian Hunt, Ann Lee and Tyrone Best came forward to accuse Ross of behaving inappropriately and making unwanted, often sexual comments about them and members of their families. Lee also said Ross may have taken money from her wallet. Hunt and Lee, who formerly asked to be identified as "Spencer" and "Pita" in order to protect their jobs, have filed charges with the University's Division of Human Resources and Office of Affirmative Action. But others who work for Ross said he is a "perfect gentleman" and a "fair boss." "Not only did they hurt Paul Ross with these statements but also his family," housekeeper Mary Slater said. "They partially ruined this man's reputation." Slater, who works under Ross in the Biomedical Research Building where Lee works and where Hunt formerly worked, said supervisors are sometimes charged with harassment "because they're simply doing their job." "In one short article, he's been accused of being mentally unstable, a pervert and a thief," she said. "I was wondering what psychiatric training [Hunt] has to be able to make such a statement." And Slater said she thinks Hunt and Lee should be fired if the charges are proven to be untrue. But others said they believed the accusations, adding that the problems with Ross are even more serious than those discussed this week. According to housekeeper Charles King, one of Teamster Local 115's shop stewards, Ross first worked the day shift in the high rises and was later transferred to the Quadrangle. He then moved to the night shift and the medical buildings where he now works. "Wherever this guy goes, he manages to bring a lot of trouble with him," King said. "I always hear about Paul Ross." King said housekeepers will often come to him before taking a grievance to a more serious, official level. But he said that despite the ongoing complaints he has received about Ross, the University has not made the situation a high priority. "They shift him around campus like a checker on a checker board," King said. A housekeeper who asked to be identified as "Julie," worked under Ross in the high rises and said he would make "off-the-wall comments" that offended some employees. "He's not exactly the most liked person on campus," she said. "He really could be a pain in the butt." Julie said some who worked for Ross had a more positive impression of him, adding that she herself was never harassed by Ross. And a Physical Plant employee who requested anonymity because she is "really terrified of the unions" said Best, Hunt and Lee have only levied the accusations in order to get revenge against Ross because he reprimanded them for unsatisfactory job performances. "I know they're devious people," she said. "They're trying to murder him through the media." The housekeeper also called her three co-workers "bums who don't want to do their work." And she said Best is "psychotic," citing examples in which he "terrorized other employees" who offended him. Best said he did not want to comment on those statements, noting that his problem is with Ross and not his fellow employees. But Hunt and Lee did respond, defending their decisions to come forward. "My record stands for itself," Hunt said. "Anyone on campus who knows me knows [such accusations] are false." And Lee said revenge has never been an issue. "I had nothing against him when I first started here," she added. "If I didn't do my work, I would be written up -- and I don't get complaints or write-ups." The union and the University are in the process of investigating the charges against Ross. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writers Jorie Green and Tammy Polonsky contributed to this article.