Aaron's, the Atlanta-based rent-to-own company, is appealing a $95 million sexual harassment verdict a former employee brought against the company.
The case has been ongoing since 2008 Southern District of Illinois. The lawsuit had graphic detail of sexual taunting and harassment.
The woman's law firm, The Cates Law Firm, said in a release that the verdict was one of the largest in U.S. history involving a sexual harassment case. Aaron's was accused of failing to protect the employee, even after she called a sexual harassment hotline and reported the incidents.
In a statement, Aaron's vice president of associate resources Chad Strickland said the award was the result of a "classic runaway jury."
"Aaron's is extremely disappointed with the jury's verdict and believes that the award does not accurately reflect the evidence that was presented in this case," he said.
Judy Cates, who represented the woman, said some of the award is capped because of federal law. The total award will be closer to $40 million, plus attorney's fees, she said.
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