In her federal lawsuit Auburn’s Pamela Anderegg says she was sexually harassed almost from the time she started working at the Cayuga County chapter of the American Red Cross to when she was let go five years later. Anderegg, an ordained United Methodist minister, is suing the Red Cross, Susan Marteney, the former executive director of the Auburn-based chapter, and...
In her federal lawsuit Auburn’s Pamela Anderegg says she was sexually harassed almost from the time she started working at the Cayuga County chapter of the American Red Cross to when she was let go five years later.
Anderegg, an ordained United Methodist minister, is suing the Red Cross, Susan Marteney, the former executive director of the Auburn-based chapter, and Christopher Malloy, a former co-worker, for undisclosed compensatory and punitive damages.
Anderegg alleged that Malloy constantly subjected her to unwanted and unwelcome sexual harassment -- often in the presence of Marteney. Anderegg said she complained to Marteney many times but said Marteney would usually laugh at Malloy’s sexual innuendos and jokes and did nothing to stop his behavior at work.
In her lawsuit, Anderegg said Malloy made sexual references in front of her all the time, once imitated a female co-worker giving oral sex, talked in graphic terms about pornographic films he watched at home and had affairs with female employees that worked under his supervision.
“We’re seeking an amount to compensate Pamela for her emotional pain and suffering … and to punish the wrongdoers for their conduct,’’ said Evan Foulke, Anderegg’s New York City lawyer.
In court papers, the Red Cross denied Anderegg’s allegations against the organization and Marteney. Red Cross spokesman Richard Blansett would only say the Red Cross is aware of the lawsuit and would mount a defense.
Marteney declined comment, as did Anderegg and Malloy, who was the emergency services director, was unavailable.
Anderegg’s case will be heard in U.S. District Court, Syracuse, but had yet to be assigned a trial date, Foulke said. Last year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled the Red Cross subjected Anderegg to a sexually hostile work environment and in March issued a “notice of right to sue’’ to his client, according to Foulke.
The Red Cross is defending Marteney but not Malloy, both of whom no longer work at the organization’s Cayuga County office, according to Foulke.
The Red Cross hired Anderegg in March 2002 to advocate for the elderly. She was let go in March 2007.
You can reach Scott Rapp at srapp@syracuse.com or 289-4839