Cypress personal trainer accuses Life Time Fitness of sexual harassment, wrongful discharge

A Cypress resident is suing Life Time Fitness after, she says, the company fired her for reporting a supervisor’s sexual harassment.  

Cypress resident Lisa Ryan Flores filed a lawsuit on May 19 in the Harris County District Court against Life Time Fitness and Todd Buckland, citing sexual harassment, retaliation, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Flores, a personal trainer, says that in July 2009, her employer, Life Time Fitness, transferred her from its Cinco Ranch location to its Houston City Centre location in Memorial, where she was exposed to defendant Buckland’s inappropriate and unwanted sexual behavior.  

Flores claims that after she reported Buckland’s unwelcome sexual advances, which included his attempt to put his hands down her pants and his sexually suggestive comments, Life Time Fitness embarked on a campaign of retaliation against her, which eventually led to her wrongful termination.

According to the brief, management’s retaliation tactics included demoting Flores, accusing her of work-related misconduct and firing her during mediation.

Flores is seeking all damages to which she is entitled, attorney’s fees and court costs. She is being represented in the case by Houston attorney Martin Shellist.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2011-30308.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.