Former Board of Elections Lawyer Seeks Permission to Sue
A former New York City Board of Elections lawyer, Stephanie Jaquez, has asked a judge to allow her to file a lawsuit against the Board of Elections and its Executive Director, Michael Ryan.
Background
Jaquez’s complaint alleging that Ryan subjected her to repeated comments about her ethnicity and gender sparked a city probe. The investigation, conducted by the Department of Investigation (DOI), found that Ryan had made inappropriate comments and gestures towards Jaquez. The report recommended that Ryan be terminated if he did not resign first. However, the Board of Elections suspended Ryan for 15 days instead.
Allegations
Jaquez alleged that Ryan had pointed to Vaseline on her desk, saying "Oh rosy lips," while making a puckering sound and attempting to touch her face. In another instance, he asked a male colleague "how young is too young" for a woman to date an older man.
Lack of Action
Jaquez claimed that the Board of Elections leadership showed a "general lack of seriousness or interest" in her allegations and that she was left with no option but to resign. She alleged that she was told she could report the harassment to Ryan himself, the operations manager who reports to Ryan, or file a complaint with an outside agency, but that all these options were "untenable" because they would involve Ryan being in the chain of reporting.
Consequences
Jaquez resigned five days after making the complaint, and Ryan subsequently tried to call her and sent his assistant to find her. Jaquez alleged that she felt trapped and that Ryan’s conduct caused her "constant distress, worry, and anxiety."
Court Filing
In her court filing, Jaquez asked the judge to waive the 90-day window for notifying the comptroller’s office, citing her formal complaints with the Board of Elections and DOI, and DOI’s request that she not describe the allegations publicly while they investigated.
Response
In a statement, Ryan apologized for his actions, saying that he disputes the allegations made in the report. The Board of Elections’ statement said that they had referred the case to DOI and that they sent a "strong message that these types of unwelcomed and insensitive comments will not be tolerated by anyone at the BOE."
Conclusion
The case highlights the need for greater accountability and sensitivity within the Board of Elections. Jaquez’s allegations and the Board’s response have sparked outrage and calls for reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the allegations made by Stephanie Jaquez?
A: Jaquez alleged that Executive Director Michael Ryan subjected her to repeated comments about her ethnicity and gender, including pointing to Vaseline on her desk and asking a male colleague "how young is too young" for a woman to date an older man.
Q: What was the outcome of the DOI investigation?
A: The DOI report found that Ryan had made inappropriate comments and gestures towards Jaquez and recommended that he be terminated if he did not resign first. The Board of Elections suspended Ryan for 15 days instead.
Q: What is Jaquez seeking in her court filing?
A: Jaquez is seeking permission to file a lawsuit against the Board of Elections and its Executive Director, Michael Ryan.
Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: The case highlights the need for greater accountability and sensitivity within the Board of Elections and has sparked outrage and calls for reform.
