Litigation

BIG SEXUAL HARASSMENT VERDICT AGAINST MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

By Mark P. Loftus, Esq.

As reported last week, a New York jury recently hammered Madison Square Garden[MSG] and its chairman, James Dolan in a sexual harassment suit. Anucha Browne Sanders had sued MSG, Dolan and New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, claiming she had been subjected to a hostile work environment due to crude comments and sexual advances from Thomas. She also alleged that Dolan had fired her after she made complaints about Thomas. The defendants denied the allegations and portrayed Brown as a malcontent employee. That strategy backfired - badly. The jury awarded found that the Thomas had indeed created a hostile work environment, and awarded Browne $6 million dollars. Interestingly, the jury assessed those damages only against MSG and Dolan. Zero damages were assessed against Thomas.

In addition, the jury whacked MSG and Dolan for another $5.6 million for their discharge of Browne after she made her complaints. The defendants have vowed to appeal.

And MSG and Dolan aren't finished with courtrooms just yet. A New York Rangers cheerleader has sued them after being told she should look more "doable"

Full post as published by Illinois Lawyer Blog on October 10, 2007 (boomark / email).