I was employed by this firm from Dec July. I was sexually harassed by a male associate for most of my employ. His mild flirtng gradually became sexually crude & graphic. This attorney, Salvatore Maoirino, Esq. Has prior discrimminatory behavior at this firm which has since been settled with the firm and is being sued for sexual misconduct with a minor presently.
I complained to the Office Administrator, Desiree Whyte (who is African American) who did told me "What do yuo expect your a Puerto Rican slu*" and did nothing. After my complaint she began to bully me severely. I know this was retaliatory due to my complaint. She finally forced me out of my job in July by verbally assualting me.
When I told her that I would complain to the managing partner she retorted "If you get me fired I will make sure your yellow-ass gets fired". I left in tears. When I returned the next day to work she told me that I told her that I had quit. I never did. Also, I told her why would I have traveled one and one half hours into the city and leave all my personal belongings at my desk. She told me she didn't have an answer to that but to her "recollection" I told her I quit.
I left that day and promptly filed a complaint with the EEOC for racial & sexual discrimination. Also when I left that day I noticed that some of my things were stolen. I also filed a complaint with the NYC Bar Association Disciplinary Committee and with the Dept. Of Labor Unemployment Insurance.
After many months of pending I was denied unemployment due to my leaving my place of emply "without just cause". This matter is still pending with the Unemployment Appeal Board. Also, the EEOC investigatin is still pending as well as the the investigation with the NYC Bar Association.
I also have Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton's office investigating this matter as well as the Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's office. I had hired an attorney who sent a demand letter to this firm and the firm's counsel replied that if I dropped my suit they would uncontest my unemployment benefits!
Since I had no income I had to close my 401 (K) account which severely penalized me ($7,000) and when that money ran out I had to apply for Welfare. Luckily, I got another job before I recieved any public assistance and am now with a wonderful firm! But, all the cases and investigations I opened are still pending.
Also, while I was in their employ my wages were being garnished for CHild Support payments. For some reason I was never registered with the Child Support Unit in Albany and the checks that were sent were returned. The office Administrator assured me that she would be place these monies in a separate bank account until the matter is resolved.
Recently, I went to Family Court and to The NY State Supreme Court to have these monies collected and they called my former employers demanding they release these monies. This firm still has $4,500 in payments that they refuse to forward to my child.
I implore any of you out there to give these people a call or write them a note and let them know that their flagarant disregard to an individual's rights will not be tolerated!
Please assist me in this! I have been financially, emotionally and my children have been unduly injured by this firm.
The Firm partners are: Clifford Davidson, Leslye Davidson and Cary Kappel. The sexual predator is Salvatore Maiorino, Esq.
Betty
New Yorkl, New York
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