Isiah Thomas Found Liable For Sexual Harrassment
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007
According to the New York Post, a federal jury ruled yesterday that Anucha Browne Sanders was subjected to a hostile work environment during her time as an employee of the New York Knicks. Sanders alleged at trial that Knicks head coach, and former team president, Isiah Thomas subjected her to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults during her tenure.
The jury found that Madison Square Garden and its chairman will have to pay $11.6 million in punitive damages for hostile work environment and retaliatory firing.
Following the verdict, Thomas stated, “I’m innocent, very innocent, and I did not do the things she has accused me in this courtroom of doing. I’m extremely disappointed that the jury did not see the facts in this case. I will appeal this, and I remain confident in the man that I am and what I stand for and the family that I have.”
During her testimony, Sanders stated that Thomas called her names and made crude remarks, and that such behavior was common in the organization. She alleged that later Thomas made sexual advances toward her. Thomas admitted to trying to kiss her once in 2005, but stated that it did not happen again.
This case, along with the recent release of a book by Clarence Thomas, have brought the issue of sexual harassment back into forefront. While I would like to think that there has been a decrease in sexual harassment in the work place since the time of Anita Hill, cases like this make me wonder how many women are suffering in silence, afraid to speak out about being harassed because they are afraid that they will lose their jobs?
The losing parties are expected to appeal the verdict.
