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XEROX SHOOTINGS
A man who discovered the bodies of seven slain Xerox employees at the Xerox distribution center a year ago has filed suit against the company and convicted copy machine repairman Byran Uyesugi. Worker who
found bodies
files Xerox suitBy Debra Barayuga
Star-BulletinThe suit, filed by George Moad, a former 26-year employee of Xerox, contends Xerox knew about Uyesugi's potential for violence as early as 1993, but failed to take appropriate action.
This is the second Circuit Court suit to be filed against Xerox and Uyesugi this week since the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health cited Xerox on Monday for failing to implement an effective program to deal with workplace violence and train supervisors and managers to identify and respond appropriately.
Xerox's failure to fire Uyesugi and adequately supervise him makes the company liable for his actions, the suit said. Uyesugi opened fire and shot to death his coworkers and his supervisor because he apparently believed they were conspiring against him.
Crystal K. Rose, Xerox attorney, said she could not comment on the specific allegations, noting attorneys are still reviewing the suit.
"What we can say is that based on the extensive research we have conducted, the documents and files we have read, and the court testimonies we have reviewed, Xerox's employees acted reasonably and professionally," Rose said.
Xerox officials have disagreed with the citations, saying their workplace policies in some aspects exceed legal requirements and that supervisors acted "responsibly and reasonably" in responding to the threats made by Uyesugi.
Moad is employed by Hawaii Transfer Co., which provides services to Xerox and has a office in the Nimitz Highway warehouse. He and another employee were investigating what they believed was an electrical explosion in the building on Nov. 2, 1999 when he came across the bodies.
Uyesugi is serving a life-without-parole sentence for murdering his supervisor and six coworkers. He is appealing his conviction.
On Monday, Xerox employee Randall Shin, who witnessed a coworker shot less than two feet away, filed suit against Uyesugi and Xerox for an unspecified amount of damages. Shin has been unable to return to work since the shooting.
Xerox killings
Uyesugi verdict
