MR files lawsuit against Dollar Tree over "sharking" incidents and corporate negligence regarding store safety
MR is seeking accountability from Dollar Tree after a series of "sharking" incidents—where men masturbate and ejaculate on unsuspecting shoppers—became a national phenomenon. The litigation began after MR was surprised by a man who ejaculated on her leggings while she shopped at a Houston location in December 2023. While the retailer initially characterized the incident as a "one-off event," MR’s lawyers, Anna Greenberg and Ed Blizzard, argue that the store has suffered from a pattern of poor corporate governance and inadequate security. The lawsuit highlights a growing online subculture of "gooners" who compete to perform public acts of masturbation for digital accolades. Critics argue that Dollar Tree has prioritized profits over safety, often leaving low-income stores understaffed and disorganized. While the company maintains it is committed to a secure environment, MR contends that the lack of physical harm in her case does not negate the "offensive contact" and emotional distress caused by the lack of oversight. The administration reached a settlement with Dollar Tree and Family Dollar in 2023 to overhaul workplace safety arrangements.