August 16th, 2012
Posted in New York, NY- A former female officer for the Bronx Transit Task Force is suing her former employer and supervisor for $30 million, alleging she was subjected to repeated sexual harassment, according to the New York Post.
Shemalisca Vasquez claims her supervisor Lt. Ruban Caban exposed himself to when they were working in a room together to catch fare-beaters.
In addition, Caban inundated her cell phone with vulgar text messages. On one occasion he sent her a photo of his penis, saying “I hope you like it! Was bored and thinking!” He also sent a photo of a woman performing oral sex on a man accompanied with the message, “Subway, Eat Fresh.”
The suit also alleges that Caban repeatedly asked Vasquez for sex in exchange for better assignments and for signing off on schedule requests. This is referred to as quid pro quo harassment.
Vasquez initially filed her claim in 2010. At that time both the Bronx District attorney and the NYPD Internal Affairs Division investigated the allegations but no criminal charges were filed.
“She was subjected to a hostile work environment and looks forward to her day in court,” said Eric Sanders, Vasquez’s attorney.
Although some juries award large settlements in harassment cases such as the recent case of a D.C. lifeguard, $30 million seems exorbitant for a single plaintiff.
Sexual harassment attorneys are able to win financial settlements to cover their client’s lost wages, any resulting medical bills and emotional duress.
Tags: 30 Million, Bronx District Attorney, Criminal Charges, Emotional Duress, Eric Sanders, Fare Beaters, Financial Settlements, Harassment Cases, Hostile Work Environment, Internal Affairs Division, Juries, Lifeguard, Medical Bills, New York Post, Performing Oral Sex, Plaintiff, Ruban, Schedule Requests, Sexual Harassment Suit, Text Messages
