Ex-beauty queen accuses Lumbee Tribe of hiding harassment

Wednesday, October 10, 2012  

A former Miss Lumbee is accusing the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina of firing her after she said her supervisor was sexually harassing her.

Ashley Haywood, who won the 2008 title, went to work for the tribe's housing department in 2009. She said the director, Rev. Jimmy Hunt, harassed and assaulted her.

When she reported Hunt to tribal leaders, she was told to keep it quiet. "She was told she would lose her job if she went to police," attorney Josh Van Kampen told WSOC-TV.

Haywood was eventually fired after Hunt returned to the housing department, the attorney said.

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Native American beauty queen sues former employer (WSOC-TV 10/9)