Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White Sued By His Band's Drummer For Sexual Harassment, Failure To Pay Wages

Lena Zawaideh

Two-time OLYMPIC gold medalist and X GAMES champion SHAUN WHITE is being sued for sexual harassment by LENA ZAWAIDEH, the former drummer in his rock band BAD THINGS. 

Her accusations include WHITE sending sexually explicit and graphic images to ZAWAIDEH of his private part, forcing her to watch sexually disturbing videos and making vulgar sexual remarks to her. In addition, WHITE also refused to pay her contractual wages throughout 2014, and used his role to impose a strict regime over ZAWAIDEH, including terminating her because she refused to cut her hair and wear sexually revealing clothes and underwear. WHITE also ordered her to refrain from wearing red lipstick — her own personal signature. ZAWAIDEH played with WHITE's band from 2008 until learning she was no longer a member of the group in 2014.

These allegations were made in a complaint recently filed on behalf of ZAWAIDEH by her current attorney, LAWRENCE A. BOHM and the BOHM LAW GROUP, INC.,citing 15 causes of action, including sexual harassment, wrongful termination, nonpayment of wages and breach of contract.

The case is currently pending in the SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA in SAN DIEGO COUNTY. No trial date has yet been set in the case.

Said BOHM of the case: “It is shocking and appalling to see a national role model act with such disregard to women in the workplace. Considering Mr. WHITE became famous for his long hair and snowboarder persona, who ever thought we would see the day that he would terminate someone who refuses to cut her hair. This type of gender harassment and discrimination does not belong in the workplace."

Added ZAWAIDEH: "I am pursuing this case because women should not have to tolerate harassment at work. SHAUN WHITE should not be allowed to do whatever he wants just because he is famous. Although I am embarrassed to have been treated this way, I cannot sit by and watch him do this to other women."

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