Employee Files Lawsuit Against Norman Bed And Breakfast

The woman who triggered a federal investigation into a Norman bed and breakfast is suing the owners. She claims they failed to pay her medical bills after an injury at work.

The former employee filed a negligence lawsuit against the owner of Whispering Pines, asking for $75,000 to repay her out of pocket medical costs.

Beverly Marlow's accident happened last December as she moved barrels of leaves into the bed of a pickup.

The lawsuit said Marlow "fell backward off the curb fracturing both of her wrists."

As a result, Marlow claims she was unable to "work, sleep, eat, bathe, or complete any daily tasks unassisted."

Court records state she later learned her employers never had worker's compensation insurance, which caused her to pay all her medical bills out-of-pocket.

Since her injuries, Marlow claims she's not been able to work.

Then, in June, the FBI said Marlow tipped them off to the Whispering Pines owners were keeping an employee as an indentured servant.

Federal investigators said the owners paid for the Cambodian woman to come to America, in return she would work off her debt.

Court documents state the Cambodian woman worked at the bed and breakfast for the past two years, working 14 to 15 hours a day and never received a paycheck.

A few weeks after the investigation surfaced, owner Rany Kchao allowed News 9 inside the bed and breakfast and denied the allegations.

“She's my baby, she's almost like - in fact, I love her more than my daughter because she's all about saving and her future,” said Kchao.

Despite the ongoing federal investigation, Kchao has not hired an attorney, and said he's done nothing wrong.

“I told her every other day 'this is heaven, you can be anything you want to be,'” he said.

News 9 reached out to Marlow's attorneys to ask if the tip to the FBI was a result of Kchao not paying her medical cost.

Marlow's attorney declined to comment.