A former Fremont Theater security guard is suing the company that used to operate the venue after he says he was fired for reporting allegations of sexual misconduct involving a 45-year-old employee and a 15-year-old coworker.
Ryan Twidwell, the theater’s former head of security, filed a lawsuit in San Luis Obispo Superior Court in January claiming Fremont Theater Entertainment Group owners Dan Sheehan and Taylor Stevens terminated his employment after he reported the alleged sexual misconduct in 2022.
Fremont Theater Entertainment Group managed the business but does not own the historic property in downtown San Luis Obispo, according to attorney Paul G. Metchik, who represents the theater owners. FTEG is no longer a tenant of the facility.
In the lawsuit, Twidwell claimed he “suffered humiliation, emotional distress and mental pain and anguish” from the retaliation he faced upon reporting the allegations.
In addition, Twidwell claimed his employers retaliated further when learning of his post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, ultimately reassigning his work while on leave, lowering his pay and terminating him.
The complaint was filed in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Jan. 19. Twidwell also filed an employment discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
“While we deny any wrongdoing, our policy is to not comment on ongoing litigation,” Sheehan wrote in an email to The Tribune.
Over the last year, beyond traditional healthcare and federal procurement matters, the government has pursued federal False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and enforcement across high-risk areas, i...