A Palm Harbor woman is suing the L.A. Fitness gym chain and some of its local members based on allegations that a man slapped her on the buttocks on multiple occasions.

Sylvia Crow, who is represented by her husband, an attorney and former four-term Republican state representative, Larry Crow, is suing for damages of up to $15,000.

In the suit, Crow claims that Melvin Crespo, another member of the L.A. Fitness gym at 35104 U.S. Highway 19 N in Palm Harbor, touched Crow inappropriately several times on the buttocks. In one instance, the suit claims, Crespo's slap left a red mark on Crow's leg for more than an hour.

The suit says other gym members, Susan Potts and James Potts, and gym employees, Kristen Athanas, Chris Solar and Marcus Bullard, harassed and intimidated her after she complained.

The suit claims that Crow's personal trainer, Mark Skeen, was fired Nov. 12 after he defended her, and that gym staff pressured her into canceling her membership and leaving the gym. Crow said that Susan and James Potts verbally assaulted her and said Crow had lied about being a breast cancer survivor.

The damages listed in the suit add up to $540, which include the cost of 12 unused trainer sessions.

Calls to Sylvia Crow, Larry Crow and L.A. Fitness seeking comment were not returned Thursday.