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'No Responsibility' for Sexual Hijinks Despite $11.5M MSG Settlement
Compiled by the DiversityInc staff
December 11, 2007
More than two months after a jury ruled in favor of Anucha Browne Sanders in her sexual-harassment lawsuit against New York Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden (MSG) CEO James Dolan, Browne Sanders reached a settlement with MSG for $11.5 million. She was scheduled to go before a federal judge on Friday to ask for punitive damages in addition to the $11.6 million she was awarded in October.
(See also: B-Word Costs Isiah Thomas, MSG $11.6M in Sex-Harassment Suit)
In a statement announcing the settlement, MSG officials and Thomas steadfastly refused to accept any responsibility in the case. "We don't feel any less strongly than we did throughout the entire episode," MSG said in a statement, according to ESPN.com. "The outcome was a travesty of justice, and we vehemently disagree with the jury's decision, however at the strong request of (NBA Commissioner David Stern) and in the interest of focusing on basketball, we can all agree that it is time for us to move on and put this issue behind us."
(See also: Stripteases, Porn, the B-Word: Isiah Thomas Is Not Alone in Sex Harassment)
Over the course of the trial, MSG was described in court as an atmosphere where harassment was openly tolerated and sexual misconduct involving Knicks players were the norm. Thomas in particular was painted in a harsh light, at times expressing the sentiment that it was more acceptable for a black man to refer to a black woman as a "bitch" or "ho" than a white man.
(See also: Knicks Coach: Black Men Can Say 'B-Word,' White Men Can't)
In a statement, Browne Sanders, who was fired from her $260,000-a-year-job in 2006, expressed relief that the case was being settled, saying "The jury's verdict in this case sent a powerful and enduring message that harassment and retaliation at Madison Square Garden will not be tolerated. It has been a long journey, but I believe that justice has been done," reports ESPN.com.
By settling the case, MSG avoided the possibility of paying Browne Sanders' attorney's fees and any additional punitive damages she may have won on appeal. For her part, Browne Sanders avoided any chance the verdict could be reduced on appeal. But in announcing the settlement, Thomas refused to accept any responsibility in the case.
"As I've said before, I'm completely innocent. This decision doesn't change that," Thomas told a group of reporters before last night's Knicks game, reports The New York Times. "However, it is in the best interest of Madison Square Garden to move forward, and I fully support it."
Dolan and Thomas can put the Browne Sanders case behind them, but following the verdict in that case, two black-female security supervisors that had previously worked for Madison Square Garden sued, alleging they were bypassed for promotions and pay raises in favor of two white interns that the plaintiffs say slept with management.
(See also: 2 More Black Women Sue MSG, Plus Your Worst Sex-Harassment Stories)
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