Irene Morales, Ex-American Apparel Employee Suing Dov Charney, Speaks Out (VIDEO)

Irene Morales, the former American Apparel employee suing the brand's boss Dov Charney for $250 million, sat down with "The Today Show" on Tuesday to talk about the lawsuit. Morales alleges that she endured months of harassment and that Charney forced her to perform sexual acts. The case has been temporarily halted in Brooklyn's Supreme Court.

Morales explained, "I thought it was almost normal. I thought everyone in the retail or fashion industry had to go through something similar to that. But I didn't think anything else of it," and, "I didn't contact the police or my friends or my family. It's something very shameful and embarrassing I didn't want to tell anyone about it."

Perhaps the most disturbing bits are from Charney's sworn depositions from previous sexual harassment suits against him, none of which went to trial. He's shown on tape making statements like, "I frequently drop my pants to show people my new product," and "There's some of us that love sluts. It could be also an endearing term."

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Comments

[Jamie Tyndall]

01:46 PM on 03/25/2011

Here is the latest on the Irene Morales story... If you think she's not in it for the money your sadly mistaken. I am not defending Dov.. But seriously, if these girls all felt sexually harassed then why come forward now and why not go right to criminal charges instead of shaking the company out. here is a link to the emails and photos Irene sent Dov...

My favorite title of one of her emails is this "Daddy's got a little naughty girl waiting for him" which was accompanied by 40 photos. This was sent after she was done working for Dov not while she was there.. She asks for a laptop and a job in exchange for the pics...

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/oh_come_on_now_5KP6JgnetEC6yU4iIoYvCP#ixzz1HdOoSZ8U

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/oh_come_on_now_5KP6JgnetEC6yU4iIoYvCP

[JontheDon]

01:38 PM on 03/24/2011

shes so just doing it for the money. She looks money hungry! this is so unfair to Dov.

[itstimetotakeitback]

02:29 AM on 03/24/2011

another 3 women filed suit today.. nice penny stock.. what a joke of a company.. dov the predator.

[JJP2391]

12:00 AM on 03/17/2011

I know Irene personally. There was a lot more going on in her life during this time. I mean ALOT. Paying rent was not her only responsibility she has had to be on her own since 15. Why she would good back, i dont even think she knows why. People make mistakes. Also she went to LA knowing no one to start off fresh from the disaster she had in NY. So this dude was all she had even if he wasnt the best boss. I am not saying everything she says is true or that 250 million dollars is reasonabe just that there is alot ore than most of you know or could comprehend.

[Daisytoo]

10:11 PM on 03/16/2011

$250 million dollars? For having sex w/her boss? Hmmm.

[Alula Teklay]

08:28 PM on 03/16/2011

Liar.

[Mary Karius]

04:45 PM on 03/16/2011

does anyone else see something freakishly inappropriate about their adds? anyone besides MEN I mean....

[twelizabeth]

03:48 AM on 03/26/2011

yes, there's a lot of exploitation vibes about it. sometimes it reminds me of pediphelia with adults women instead of girls.

[SamBarber]

03:42 PM on 03/16/2011

"I didn't contact the police or my friends or my family. It's something very shameful and embarrassing I didn't want to tell anyone about it."

...anyone else except the national media, for which she was compensated.

[Jessica Erin]

03:00 PM on 03/16/2011

i feel sexually harassed just looking at american apparel ads..can i sue, too?

[SueEll]

11:45 AM on 03/16/2011

Young women are certainly getting contradictory messages. Makes me think of that old commercial song, "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never let you forget you're a man, cause I'm a WOman." (Fool.)

[Camille Gray]

10:48 AM on 03/16/2011

BUT their hoodies are so warm, comfortable and versatile. I'm going to try to separate the scandal from the clothes though.

It's also sad that one of the only American made, American employed clothing companies is under fire.

[Truthdude]

09:46 AM on 03/16/2011

If I got $250 Million for every time someone said something disrespectful to me in my life I'd be a trillionaire many times over.

[Unshriven]

08:35 AM on 03/16/2011

I see now why their ads are an homage to softcore porn.

[Kina3]

08:33 AM on 03/16/2011

Like I mentioned before...why did she file a civil suit before she filed the criminal charges (if she even filed that). Last time I checked up on this story, she had already filed a civil suit and was 'considering' pursuing criminal charges. Shouldn't it be the other way around?? Granted, the American Apparel guy is creepy but it looks mighty suspicious to push for $250M over putting the guy who violated you in jail...

[imonlyhereforthelaughs]

12:42 PM on 03/16/2011

It's normally the other way around when you've been legitimately victimized. When you're only after money it's only an afterthought.

[Gutts]

08:12 AM on 03/16/2011

If she was white, blond with blue eyes a check would have been issued immediately.

[imonlyhereforthelaughs]

12:42 PM on 03/16/2011

Shows how little you know.