East Haven Employee Who Filed Sexual Harassment Claim Against The Mayor Files Federal Lawsuit

The Town Hall employee, who has accused East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. of sexual harassment has filed a federal lawsuit against the town alleging her Family and Medical Leave Act rights were violated, the New Haven Register reports Wednesday.

The employee claims the town “maliciously retaliated” against her for going on FMLA leave on May 5 and her supervisor ordered her back to work the next day, the Register reports.

Last week news broke the same long-time Town Hall female employee had filed a sexual harassment complaint with the state against Maturo.

In the complaint it alleges, Maturo used sexually explicit language toward the employee, repeatedly grabbed his crotch in front of her, and even exposed himself to her.

The alleged victim’s attorney John L. Williams told WNPR in an interview that the woman was “horrified when she found out her name was released to the public,” adding that she was “so upset.” The complaint against Maturo was released publicly by his own administration along with a statement denouncing the allegations.

Patch has not released the woman’s name because of the nature of the allegations. Several other media outlets have publicly revealed the woman’s name.

A state spokesman confirmed that it is very rare for a municipality to release such a report to the media, but it appears Maturo was trying to get ahead of the story, WNPR reports.

Williams has said no criminal charges will be filed against Maturo.

To read more about the alleged victim’s complaint and Maturo’s response click here.