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A female prosecutor has filed a lawsuit against the Bronx District Attorney alleging sexual harassment, religious discrimination, and retaliation in the DA’s sex crimes unit. This case highlights the pervasiveness of sexual harassment, even in our hallowed halls of justice.
While the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, all employees in New York have a right to a workplace free from harassment. The best way for you to protect your rights is to consult with an experienced sexual harassment attorney.
The Bronx District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Unit: Rife with Sexual Harassment
In a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court against New York City and the Bronx District Attorney, the plaintiff, a female prosecutor who is Muslim, alleges that her supervisor engaged in offensive conduct.
“The Bronx DA’s work environment is rampant with unlawful harassment, which goes unchecked and where the victims are retaliated against when they reject and complain about being sexually harassed by their supervisors and colleagues,” the complaint stated.
The plaintiff was hired in January 2019 as a prosecutor in the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Unit, which is part of the Bronx DA’s Special Victims Unit. The lawsuit claims that an assistant district attorney who was responsible for training the plaintiff allegedly:
- Showed her lewd pictures of a defendant
- Made inappropriate comments about the size of her breasts
- Made jokes about her having sex with police officers
The complaint also claims that the supervising attorney suggested she “get to know him,” insisting he was allowed to make “sexually inappropriate comments to her because he was homosexual.”
When the plaintiff complained about the misconduct to another prosecutor, the colleague allegedly replied, “maybe you shouldn’t work here.”
According to the complaint, the plaintiff started isolating herself from her co-workers, particularly the offender, and her supervisors responded by retaliating against her by requiring that her work be reviewed by another prosecutor and not assigning cases to her.
The offensive conduct allegedly continued at the 2019 office holiday party. When the plaintiff reported the misconduct, she claims her allegations were not taken seriously because she’s Muslim. The plaintiff filed a charge with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to obtain a right to sue letter.
Why This Matters
Despite the fact the sexual harassment violates city, state and federal law, employees in New York continue to experience workplace harassment. If you have been subjected to harassment by a supervisor or coworker, you should report the misconduct to your employer. If the offensive behavior continues, you may have grounds for a sexual harassment lawsuit. While victims of harassment are reluctant to come forward out of fear of retaliation, an experienced employment lawyer can help to protect your rights, your livelihood, and your good name.