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Pacific Office Automaton CEO Pitassi Takes Leave of Absence In Wake of Harassment Lawsuit

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Pacific Office Automation CEO and President Doug Pitassi

On October 2nd, Pacific Office Automation announced that its president and CEO, Doug Pitassi, has taken an indefinite leave of absence after allegations that he sexually assaulted two former male employees, according to The Oregonian. 

“With the best interests of POA at heart, Doug has decided to step away from his duties as President/CEO and take a leave of absence from the company,” Pacific Office Automation (POA) wrote in an email to Pacific Office Automation’s 1,400 employees. “This was not an easy decision for Doug.”

Background

In July 2024, two former POA employees filed a lawsuit alleging that Pitassi sexually harassed and assaulted them, from about 2010 to 2022.

Pitassi and POA have denied the allegations

POA, one of the United States’ largest independent office-equipment dealers, is a privately owned company based in Beaverton, Oregon. Recently, the company announced 9 percent year-over-year revenue growth for 2023, with $458 million in sales. The company was also recognized as a Sharp Platinum Level Service Dealer for 2021-2022.

Alleged Payoffs

The matter however doesn’t stop there. According to a September 24th Oregon Live report, Pitassi, who is also a convicted sex offender, allegedly paid one former employee, Colin D. McCarthy, to remain silent about allegations of sexual harassment.

According to McCarthy POA and Pitassi paid him $2 million to remain silent about his allegations, requiring him to sign a non-disclosure agreement. In a bizarre twist, McCarthy is then said to have thrown fistfuls of cash – about $250,000 – on Interstate 5 in Oregon after receiving the cash. Bewildered Oregon state police officers then apprehended him, with McCarthy telling them “I got paid to shut my mouth.”

Two other former employees are also said to have received cash settlements.

POA was founded in 1976 by Terry Newsom. In 1985, Pitassi was convicted of sexual abuse of two minors and endangering the welfare of a minor, both misdemeanors, while teaching at a high school. POA then hired him as a salesperson in 1989, and later appointed him CEO in 2018.