Sexual harassment lawsuit against billionaire Paso Robles winery owner dismissed
The sexual harassment case against the Swiss billionaire who owns a Paso Robles winery was dismissed earlier this month, but it is unclear whether a settlement was reached.
Former Halter Ranch Winery employees Madison Busby and Bryce Mullins, who are married, both filed separate lawsuits against 89-year-old Johann Georg “Hansjörg” Wyss on April 21, alleging Wyss — worth $4.8 billion according to Forbes — sexually harassed Busby for nearly five years and broke financial promises to Mullins.
Busby claimed Wyss made sexual comments toward her, suggested she take part in a “foursome” and shared stories about his sexual affairs. Mullins claimed he “uprooted his life” to join Wyss at the winery and was forced to work two jobs for one salary in “intolerable work conditions” because he was promised significant equity worth at least $30 million, but Wyss failed to actually deliver on the promise.
The winery denied the allegations and told The Tribune in May that Busby and Mullins “voluntarily made themselves part of the Halter Winery community and took advantage of its owner’s generosity.”
In a cross-complaint filed on May 20, Wyss alleged Mullins breached his fiduciary duty and loyalty by not reporting the alleged harassment to human resources.
Mullins was Busby’s superior and if he witnessed the harassment as Busby’s lawsuit claimed, he had a duty to report it to human resources and did not for “personal gain,” the lawsuit alleged.
Court documents, which were signed on July 31 but filed on Aug. 8, show Busby, Mullins and Wyss agreed to dismiss the case. The documents did not include details about what led to the agreement.
When asked whether a settlement was reached, a spokesperson for Wyss told The Tribune, “all parties agreed to dismiss the claims and we are pleased to put this matter to an end. Mr. Wyss has denied the allegations in the original complaints and continues to maintain he acted appropriately. This dismissal allows everyone involved to move on without further dispute.”
The spokesperson declined to comment further about whether a settlement was reached.
