Salem salon owner files lawsuit against Governor Brown, seeks $100K in damages

SALEM, Ore. — Lindsey Graham, owner of Glamour Salon in Salem, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Kate Brown, this time in Marion County court, claiming that forcing small businesses to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic is doing more harm than good.

Court documents say Graham is seeking $100,000 in damages.

According to the suit, filed on December 18, Graham claims that shutting down private businesses “caused greater negative health effects on Oregonians in the form of increased stress, anxiety and depression.”

Graham also claims she lost business opportunity, revenue from her clients, and "damage to her reputation and goodwill" according to court documents.

According to court documents, Graham claims Governor Brown does not have the authority to close private businesses that can demonstrate that they can operate safely without jeopardizing the public's health.

You can read full lawsuit below:

On March 23, Governor Brown issued the “Stay Home, Save Lives” order in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, which forced Glamour Salon to shut down.

Six weeks later in May, Graham reopened her salon, defying Governor Brown’s orders.

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"If we can all get back to work and feed our families, then I'm going to keep doing it," Graham said. "It's my constitutional right to earn a living for my family, and I'm going to do it."

A few weeks later, OSHA fined Graham $14,000. She told KATU she was going to push forward and stay open.

MORE | Salem salon staying open, despite OSHA fines

“OSHA finally decided that my case was closed and decided my disciplinary action is as follows: That I would received a $14,000 fine for operating a ‘hazardous facility for my employees’ which I do not have.” Graham said at press conference on Friday. "I have independent contractors who are choosing to work at this facility.”

Then in July, Graham filed a lawsuit against the State of Oregon and Governor Kate Brown, claiming they sent OSHA to her business and "illegally and improperly" issued her the $14,000 fine.

We have reached out to the governor’s office for comment but have not heard back.