Upcoming Hearing On Lawsuit That Claims Huntington Official Harassed Secretary

A public hearing in May will discuss a human rights lawsuit filed by a Town of Huntington employee against the Town of Huntington Highway Department and Superintendent of Highways Peter Gunther.

The lawsuit claims Gunther initiated in a pattern of inappropriate behavior towards Laurie Beth Austin after he assumed office in January 2014, but especially after she applied and was hired as his confidential secretary. Austin, who has been employed by the Town of Huntington since 1990, became the confidential secretary for Gunther in January 2016.

The lawsuit alleges that, despite Austin wanting nothing but a professional relationship with him, Gunther made her feel uncomfortable to be in her position. The NYS Division of Human Rights "Determination after Investigation” reports he parked on dead-end roads and tried to kiss her, called Austin “his girl,” told others he was leaving his wife and other actions.

In June 2016, the lawsuit claims Austin expressed her concerns about Gunther’s behavior to Town Personnel Officer Lisa Baisley. The Town took the appropriate steps to address her complaint. Baisley allegedly advised Austin that she would be separated from Gunther while the incident was under investigation and that Gunther, since he was an independent elected official, could not be fired or removed from office. In late June, the Town later moved her office to a different location and she no longer had the title of confidential secretary, but continued to receive the $12,000 stipend through Gunther’s term of office, the report says. Austin was also reportedly advised that she could make a formal complaint through the Town’s EEO Office.

Gunther denies any claims of harassment and The Town of Huntington denies any discrimination. On July 8, 2016, Patch was given a tip that Gunther would be stepping down from his position because he was having a relationship with a colleague. Patch reached out to the Town of Huntington shortly after receiving this information. In response, the Town of Huntington representative AJ Carter said, “These are rumors that have been going around for more than a week. They are just that: rumors. The Town does not comment on rumors.”

On July 27, 2016, Austin filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights charging the Town of Huntington Highway Department and Gunther with unlawful discriminatory practice relating to employment based on sex.

Gunther has no other complaints of inappropriate behavior against him and has ceased any attempt to communicate with Austin. There is no restraining order against him.

The public hearing will be held Monday May, 8 and Tuesday May, 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hearing room at the NYS Division of Human Rights, located at State Office Building (suite 2B-49) at 250 Veteran’s Memorial Highway in Hauppauge.

The hearing will determine whether Gunther and the Town of Huntington met their responsibility under the Human Rights Law. Both parties will present their respective case before an Administrative Law Judge. Testimony will be under oath and witnesses will be subjected to cross-examination.

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