Richard Rooker, longtime circuit court clerk, sued for sexual assault by former employee

Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk Richard Rooker repeatedly sexually assaulted an employee over a 12-year period, according to a lawsuit filed in Nashville this week.

According to the lawsuit, the first instance took place in 2006 when Rooker summoned her to his office and "unexpectedly, astonishingly and outrageously requested (she) kiss him."

"Since Rooker was her supervisor and was the person who hired her, she reluctantly complied since she honestly thought at the time there were no other alternatives available," the suit stated. Then, "Rooker forcefully pushed her head down to his genital area, and demanded, compelled and required (her) to perform the act of fellatio."

The suit said Rooker's "outrageous behavior," including "sexual encounters," continued weekly until February 2018.

The Rooker family has a long legacy of public service. Rooker's dad and brother were longtime elected officials. The Tennessean does not generally report the name of possible sexual assault victims. 

Police spokeswoman Kris Mumford said the woman's allegations had not been reported to the department. Mumford said police would attempt to talk to the woman to discuss the allegations.

A staff member at Rooker's office referred questions to his attorney Hal Hardin.

Hardin said the lawsuit "was a total surprise to Mr. Rooker."

"We'll be filing a response very shortly. A detailed response," Hardin said. "He will deny the allegations."

The majority of the unwanted encounters took place inside Rooker's courthouse office, according to the lawsuit.

In addition to the forced oral sex, Rooker required the woman to perform sexual intercourse on at least two occasions, according to the suit. Rooker also grabbed and fondled the woman's breasts while in the elevator of the courthouse, according to the suit.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit was hired in 2005, approximately one year before she says the first assault took place.

The suit describes a "hostile sexual harassment work environment" that caused an illness that required the woman to make emergency room visits. According to the suit, Rooker responded to her sick days by telling her to " 'get (her) a-- to work,' even if she had to bring a cot to lie down and sit on the toilet all day."

The suit also states the woman "was subjected to screams and other harsh and unprofessional language from Rooker and other superiors."

A review of the woman's personnel file shows she received consistently solid performance reviews, although managers repeatedly mentioned that she took several sick days. A performance review signed in 2015 said she had "several sick days due to significant events."

She retired in March 2018, according to her personnel file. According to the lawsuit, the woman, who is represented by attorney Steve Stephenson, took early retirement in response to the hostile workplace environment.

She is suing for at least $1.5 million in damages.

Rooker first took office in 1993 when he was appointed to the role after the death of his father, George Rooker, who previously held the job for many years.

He was subsequently re-elected to six four-year terms, most recently last year. Rooker's brother George Rooker was also an elected official, serving as property assessor.

An elected position, the circuit court clerk is the custodian of state court legal filings in Davidson County.

Metro government was also named as a defendant in the case. Director of Law Jon Cooper declined to comment.

Reach Nate Rau at nrau@tennessean.com or 615-259-8094 and on Twitter @tnnaterau. Reach Adam Tamburin at tamburin@tennessean.com or 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.

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