East Haven Woman Who Filed Sexual Assault Complaint Against Maturo Feels Intimidated at Hearing

The East Haven town employee who filed a sexual harassment complaint against Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. appeared at a pre-termination hearing on Tuesday, the New Haven Register reports.

The employee’s attorney, John Williams told the paper he felt his client was being retaliated against for filing the Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities complaint against the mayor. The employee also filed a Federal Medical Leave Act lawsuit against the town saying she was pressured into returning to work after executing her FMLA leave on May 5.

The pre-termination hearing against the employee is due to the fact that she failed to report to work as scheduled as per a notice dated Sept. 25. However, town officials were aware that the employee is on leave under FMLA.

According to the Register, at the hearing the employee’s supporters including her attorney were asked to leave the room as officials said the session was not a “public session” leading the woman to feel intimidated.

Williams told WTNH News 8 that his employee’s job would have never been under question if she had not filed the sexual harassment complaint. The CHRO complaint filed in July by the employee alleges that Maturo made inappropriate sexual advance and comments towards her.

According to the Register, Williams will be filing an amended CHRO complaint and will likely be amending the lawsuit filed in Federal Court for violation of the FMLA.

Read the full story at the New Haven Register.

Image via Facebook

Have a news tip? Email brian.mccready@patch.com. You can also post your own news, events and announcements on Patch by following these directions. Curious about how our new commenting platform, Disqus, works? Learn more about it here and start interacting with your neighbors on Patch.