Posts Tagged ‘Accusation’
Deputy Philadelphia Police Commissioner Accused of Using Force as Dating Service, Adding to a Growing Sexual Scandal
January 3rd, 2013
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Philadelphia, PA- The sign outside the Philadelphia Police Department says “Honor, Integrity, Service,” but according to some officers, top officials didn’t follow those tenants and has accused some top officials of sexual harassment and retaliation.
The Philadelphia Police Department is facing yet other another accusation of sexual misconducted perpetrated by the Deputy Commissioner. A long-time aide for Philadelphia’s Deputy Police commissioner, William Blackburn, has come forward with allegations that Blackburn used the police force as his personal “dating service.”
Officer Walter Maiellano said in court documents, obtained by Daily News that Blackburn would comb through Police Department’s employee data base to photos of female officers and pick out the ones thought were attractive and wanted to meet, according to Philly.com.
According Maiellano, Blackburn would then instruct him to find out where the women worked, “William Blackburn would have me drive [him] to meet the female officer. This would happen too often,” Maiellano said in the document.
This new allegation surfaced as result of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations filed against Blackburn by a former Police Captain, Debra Frazier, which was filed on April of 2012.
“”It’s shocking that he [Blackburn] would use a police personnel file as his own private dating service,” said Frazier’s attorney, Brian Puricelli.”He went to the district so it would appear like he was there on business. In reality, he was trying to pick them up.”
According to Frazier’s lawsuit Blackburn, 55, a 31-year veteran of the force, harassed her for almost three years and retaliated against her once she refused her advances.
Frazier alleges that Blackburn began calling and sending her text messages almost daily inquiring about her personal life and telling her how lonely he felt, according the Philly.com. He also began asking for sexual favors and “female companionship in exchange for preferential treatment, the lawsuit claims. Blackburn’s behavior began to escalate into stalking.
Both Frazer and Blackburn attended the same gym and Frazer stated he began staring at her buttocks in the company of others. Once as Blackburn was leaving the gym, he allegedly told Frazer he should run her over with his car.
Frazer made both informal and formal complaints but shortly after Blackburn began retaliating against her, requiring her to attend unnecessary meetings, asking her to wear a uniform even though she was plain clothes officer in the Narcotics unit and also barred her from the office.
In an ensuing investigation, Blackburn was cleared of any wrong-doing from Staff Investigator, Jerrold Bates. In August of this year a former officer and aide to Bates, Keisha Johnson, came forward accusing her former boss of sexual harassment, as well.
According to Johnson, Bates began fondling her and threatened to fire her is she refuse his advances. Johnson said Bates would show her photos of women he planned on replacing her with and stated one of the women offered him oral sex everyday if he would hire her.
Bates harassment stopped while Johnson was pregnant but started again after she had her baby.
One of Johnson’s fellow officers said sexual harassment was rampant in the Police Department, “It’s a boys’ club and the only way to get ahead in the department is to act like a b*tch, or to lay down with one of them,” the cop told the New York Daily News.
Sexual harassment isn’t unusual in police departments or other male-dominated fields. The only way to put an end to harassing behavior is for women to speak out, even if they fear retaliation.
John Travolta Breaks Silence on Sexual Harassment Scandal
June 26th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
After staying quiet regarding the allegations against him, John Travolta has decided to speak up about the sexual harassment he has been accused of.
The 58-year-old actor broke his silence on the most recent sexual assault incident involving a former Royal Caribbean cruise worker. Travolta dismissed the accusation as just “another ludicrous lawsuit with inane claims” from someone who’s “looking for their 15 minutes of fame.”
The alleged victim, Fabian Zanzi, claims he met Travolta in June 2009 while on the cruise ship. After delivering food to the star’s stateroom, Zanzi claims Travolta asked him for a neck massage and then took off his robe and embraced him against his will.
“Take me, I will take care of you, please,” is what Zanzi claims Travolta told him. Zanzi also alleges Travolta offered him $12,000 to keep quiet about the incident.
“The claims are completely contradicted by what Mr. Zanzi told his employer back in 2009 when he was being disciplined for his own violations of company policy,” said Travolta’s attorney, Marty Singer. “In his handwritten report three years ago, the only physical contact he claimed occurred was allegedly touching my client’s neck. The inappropriate conduct he alleges in his lawsuit is absent from his written report he submitted at the time. That glaring omission speaks volumes.”
Travolta added that Zanzi waited three years to come forward with the claims and has no doubt his client will emerge from the lawsuit victorious.
Zanzi has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Travolta seeking unspecified damages.
If you experienced unwanted sexual advances or conduct, turn to a sexual harassment attorney immediately to protect your rights. Your lawyer will see to it that the offender is brought to justice and that you obtain compensation for your pain and suffering.
Third Accuser Comes Forward in John Travolta Sexual Harassment Scandal
May 11th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
A third accuser has come forward alleging John Travolta sexually harassed him.
The accusations began surfacing last Friday, when the first alleged victim filed an anonymous lawsuit against Travolta, claiming the Hollywood star “touched his genitals” and made sexual propositions during a massage.
Travolta’s lawyer, Marty Singer, called the accusation a “baseless lie,” but the following Monday, a second accuser – also anonymous – claimed the 58-year-old actor inappropriately touched him - as well as himself – during a massage appointment at a resort in Atlanta, Georgia last January.
Singer dismissed the second claim as well, saying, “This second ‘anonymous’ claim is just as absurd and ridiculous as the first one.”
New evidence has surfaced showing that Travolta was in New York on the day the first claim allegedly took place in Los Angeles. However, Travolta was in Atlanta when the second claim was said to have occurred.
The third accuser, a former Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee, is alleging Travolta offered him $12,000 to have sex with him in May 2009.
The accuser, Fabian Zanzi, was in charge of VIP guests aboard the ship. He claims Travolta went to brush some lint off his shoulder, moved in closer to Zanzi, and then took his robe off and “became naked.”
“He hugged me and asked me to give him a massage,” alleged Zansi.
There is no word on whether Zansi has filed a lawsuit but the first two plaintiffs are each suing for $2 million.
If you or someone you know has been harassed in Georgia, speak to a Georgia sexual harassment attorney to file a claim. As a victim of discrimination, you have rights, and your paralegal will make sure they are upheld.
Contact a sexual harassment lawyer in Georgia today.
Sexual Harassment Charge Against Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Dropped
May 10th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
A sexual harassment charge against former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White has been dropped.
White got a lucky break from the Florida Commission on Ethics Friday after facing a sexual harassment accusation and three years in prison for bribery.
The panel voted 4-3 to dismiss the case because White is criminally convicted and no longer poses a threat to the public.
The case stems back to an investigation on White last May. The commission found probable cause that White was involved in voting bribery and sexually harassed an aide.
Investigators found that White accepted a $6,000 bribe to influence the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission. The businessman making the deal was an undercover FBI agent.
Commissioners decided proceeding with the case would just be a waste of taxpayer money, since White was already convicted on seven charges in November, including wire fraud, bribery and lying to the FBI.
White was sentenced to three years in prison in March, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
Although the charges may have been dropped, White isn’t getting off that easy.
“His name is forever besmirched,” said Chairman Robert Sniffen, at a meeting in the state’s Capitol building.
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted and unwelcomed conduct that is sexual in nature. It can include anything from a general lewd joke to a serious physical attack. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a sexual offender in Florida, speak to a leading Florida sexual harassment lawyer right away to fight for your rights.
Sexual harassment attorneys make sure the perpetrator is brought to justice and that victims obtain compensation for their pain and suffering. Contact the offices of an acclaimed sexual harassment lawyer in Florida today to file a claim.
Howell school board asks trustee to resign following sexual harassment complaints
November 11th, 2011
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
HOWELL, Michigan – A Howell school board trustee has been asked to resign from his position following accusations of sexual harassment.
The board asked Robert Parker to resign on Thursday, just one week after it hired an investigator to review allegations of sexual harassment from a student. Board President Ann Rout announced that the investigation is still going on and will take roughly two more weeks.
“We do not believe Mr. Parker can function effectively as a board member and represent the Howell district given the nature of the allegations and the publicity resulting from them,” said Rout.
The sexual harassment complaints were filed last week by a student who claims worked with Parker in an internship.
Other allegations against Parker have surfaced, including an accusation by a woman who was fired after refusing to go on vacation with him. Another woman claims Parker paid her $150 to have sex with him.
The Howell School District continues to investigate the most recent sexual harassment complaints. Parker has been working at the board since 2008. He is a former Howell mayor and in addition, practices law in the city.
Sexual harassment includes any unwanted and unwelcomed comments or behaviors that are sexual in nature. Regardless of what the individual type of harassment is, if you or someone you know has been victimized by a sexual predator, you need to seek help immediately to ensure the perpetrator is apprehended. Speak to a leading sexual harassment lawyer right away to file a case and protect your rights.
All sexual harassment behaviors are unwanted and lead the victim to feel afraid and embarrassed. No one should have to suffer in a hostile work environment, but the sad truth is that many sexual harassment victims don’t come forward out of fear. Not taking action, however, ensures the behaviors will continue or even get worse. Don’t suffer any longer and speak to a skilled team of sexual harassment lawyers to ensure the workplace is rid of hostility.
You have a right to feel safe and secure at work, and sexual harassment lawyers will make sure of it.
Call a sexual harassment lawyer near you today to discuss your options and file a claim.
Strauss-Kahn Going to be a Free Man?
July 5th, 2011
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Dominique Strauss-Kahn was set free from house arrest this week. The high-profile sexual assault case against Kahn is set to be dismissed. Many people feel this is too bad since he leads an organization that in some ways is damaging to the U.S. but if he is innocent then this is a tremendous revelation. Like Mike Tyson and Kobe Bryant, fallacious allegations for monetary gain are terrible and undermine the sanctity of our society.
The Witness’s Testimony would not have been Damaging
Over the last few days, the prosecutors have argued that there were serious problems with various important aspects of the case. As many sexual harassment lawyers will affirm, the credibility of the witness is frequently tested.
Credibility Issues
Sexual harassment lawyers related to the case agreed that the Guinean housekeeper lacked credibility. Thus, prosecutors argued that her accusation that Mr. Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her cannot be taken at face value. In a hearing in Manhattan, at the State Supreme Court, prosecutors were not opposing the release of Mr. Kahn. Later, the judge ordered his release from house arrest. This is indeed a shocking turn of events, considering the former IMF chief was the most reviled man in New York. So much so that residents of a high-end apartment building in Manhattan opposed the idea of Kahn moving into the building.
Presidency Slipping Away
At the time of the incident in May, Mr. Strauss Kahn held a globally important position, that of the IMF Chief. However, after the alleged rape where the housekeeper of Sofitel accused him of chasing her around the $3,000 a night suite, he had to resign from his post as the IMF Chief. Kahn was also in the running for the French Presidency. Despite how the case turns out, sexual harassment lawyers will attest that their clients lose some amount of credibility when accused of sexual harassment. This is another reason these false accusers, certainly in the Clarence Thomas, Kobe Bryant, and Mike Tyson cases, are despicable people. The case on this maid’s word and accusation remains unclear.
