Former Anheuser-Busch Spokesperson Sues Over ’Frat Party’ Work Environment

Francine Katz, the longtime spokesperson for brewer Anheuser-Busch, is suing the company for sexual discrimination, saying that she earned lower pay than her male colleagues and endured a “locker room” and “frat party” atmosphere during her 20 years with the company, Reuters reported Oct. 27.

The former attorney spent two decades defending the company over charges that it marketed its products irresponsibly and to underage drinkers: Katz’s job titles included vice president of Anheuser-Busch’s alcohol awareness and education group.

Katz left the company in December — shortly after Anheuser-Busch merged with Belgian brewing conglomerate InBev NV — and filed suit this week, seeking lost wages, punitive damages, and other remedies after discovering last fall that the women on the company’s strategy committee were making less than the male members.

Katz said that she was making only 46 percent of the salary of her male predecessor on the committee and that she had repeatedly complained about the pay gap to former company chairman August Busch III and current president David Peacock.

Current company spokesperson Terri Vogt called Katz’s claims “unjustified,” saying Anheuser-Busch “firmly believes in treating all employees fairly.”