May 14, 2009 8:48 pm US/Eastern
Bloomberg Grilled During Discrimination Deposition
Mayor's Company, Bloomberg LP, At Center Of Stunning Accusations By 84 Pregnant Female Plaintiffs
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg's testimony at his company discrimination deposition has been sealed.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Michael Bloomberg created a media empire that helped launch his political career. But on Thursday, the mayor was forced to go under oath to answer questions about alleged harassment at the multi-billion dollar company that bears his name.
He's spending millions of his own money to win another term as mayor, money he earned from his 88 percent share of the self-named media company Bloomberg LP. So right now probably isn't the best time in the world for Bloomberg to be grilled in connection with a discrimination suit filed against his firm.
Plaintiffs, over 84 formerly pregnant females, alleged the improprieties were severe, systematic and pervasive.
Court papers charged that pregnant women at Bloomberg LP were treated differently and retaliated against one woman, Maria Mandalakis, said her boss increased her work load after she became pregnant and that she twice went into premature labor because of it.
The mayor is not a defendant, but he was grilled for most of the day because:
"Mr. Bloomberg does pride himself as a hands-on detail-oriented businessman, owner and now mayor," Richard Roth said.
The company and its executives, including the mayor, have been charged at various times with running a company that is a hostile environment for women.
Mark Green even brought up allegations in one of the old lawsuits during the 2001 mayoral race.
"Kiko Garrison said that when she told Michael Bloomberg, 'Gee I'm pregnant,' he twice said the ugly words 'kill it kill it,'" Green said back on Oct. 3, 2007.
For its part the company claims it provides "employee compensation and benefits that are among the highest in our industry. We do this to enable our employees to care for their families and to continue to further their careers."
The big question for Mayor Bloomberg is whether there will be any repercussions during his re-election campaign.
The mayor and his lawyers are doing their best to keep his deposition private. There is a federal court order to keep his testimony under wraps and prevent leaks.
Lawyers for the women say they are trying to find out "if and when" the mayor became aware of the discrimination issues and if they were happening under his watch.
The company says the claims have no merit.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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