The Philadelphia Housing Authority is settling the final of foursexual harassment claims against its executive director, Carl Greene, for a reported $250,000, bringing the total settlement amount to nearly $900,000, according to today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Sexual harassment claims by two Philadelphia women were settled in 2004 for $200,000 and $98,000. A third woman was paid a settlement of $350,000 in 2008. The final sexual harassment suit against the Philadelphia Housing Authority director is reported to be close to a settlement of $250,000. Contact Edith Pearce today if you feel you’ve been harassed and want justice.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority chairman, former mayor John Street, and members of the PHA board have come under repeated attack by Mayor Nutter and other community leaders who have raised questions about the PHA’s leadership, charging a “lack of appropriate oversight.” The PHA board, which has so far resisted growing public demands that Greene be fired, is scheduled to meet today to decide the director’s fate. Greene is expected to be placed on suspension while the board conducts an internal investigation. PHA sexual harassment policies and training procedures will also be reviewed.
According to documents obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer, sexual harassment lawsuits filed against PHA’s director say Greene discriminated “against attractive young women” who rebuffed his advances. In their suits, the women say they were subjected to public humiliation, verbal abuse, inappropriate touching under protest, inappropriate demands, threats to deny promotions, unpleasant job assignments and unjust dismissal. The Philadelphia Housing Authority has repeatedly denied the accusations and denied liability.
The PHA lawsuits illustrate the difficulty of litigating sexual harassment claims. Had only a single individual come forward with allegations against Greene, the outcome might have been different. Sexual harassment often takes place in privacy and may extend beyond the workplace. Victims are often too embarrassed by inappropriate advances or too frightened of losing their job to complain. If you are being sexually harassed at work, click here to find out what to do.