Queens cop, Veronica Schultz, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against top officials NYPD Chief Deputy Michael Blake and Sargent James Briones.  It’s a classic case of sexual harassment, in which upper management uses its authoritative power to take advantage of their subordinates.

After Schultz accidently exposed her thong during an NYPD talent show, she thought her humiliation would end there. She was wrong.

Days after the incident she walked in on her boss, Sgt. Briones, showing a video that captured her embarrassing incident to 10 colleagues at the 103^rd Precinct.  Unfortunately, that occurrence was neither the start nor the end of the harassment and humiliation done by Briones.  He has been accused of looking at Schultz’s breast when communicating with her, rubbing against her body, and committing on how attracted he was to her figure.  Schultz’s suit also alleges that Briones made sexually inappropriate comments to a 15-year-old in the youth program.

According to Schultz, she was let go from the precinct’s youth unit after denying and refusing to go along with Sargent James Briones lewd advances.

James Briones was not the only NYPD official with upper management status that committed acts of sexual harassment on his subordinates—Deputy Chief Michael Blake was also accused of using his authoritative position as a means of sexually harassing female co-workers.  Blake has been said to have numerous sexual relationships with female officers of the 103^rd Precinct in exchange for favorable assignments.  The suit alleges that Blake was directly involved in Officer Patricia Warner’s transfer from the 103^rd precinct to the elite counter terrorism unit after having an affair with her.  Blake, too, has been accused of making inappropriate comments about Schultz’s appearance.

Both NYPD officials have denied the charges made against them.  Chief Deputy Michael Blake even went as far as suggesting that Schultz is delusional when questioned if she had behavioral problems.

Sexual harassment in the work place is no laughing matter.  Federal and state laws forbid such an act. Harassment is considered a form of discrimination and is illegal when it is based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (over 40), disability, or is made in retaliation for legally protected behavior.  California also makes it illegal to harass someone based on their sexual orientation. If you or someone you know is being sexually harassed in the workplace, consult with a sexual harassment lawyer in Orange County.