Oct 3, 2007 7:46 pm US/Eastern
Suit: Bloomberg 'Condoned' Discrimination
Mayor Says He Had Little To Do With Employment Policies
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The women at the center of a lawsuit against Bloomberg LP filed a motion Wednesday alleging that Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, has "fostered, condoned and perpetuated" discrimination in the company he founded.
AP
Several women are blaming Mayor Michael Bloomberg for discrimination they say they endured while working at the financial company bearing his name.
Tanys Lancaster, 38, Jill Patricot, 35, and Janet Loures, 41, filed a motion to join the case brought last week on their behalf by the federal government against the company, alleging discrimination against women who were pregnant or on maternity leave.
Last week, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company, saying it demoted the women after they disclosed they were pregnant.
On Wednesday, all three charged in court documents that the mayor himself is responsible.
"The devil is in the details," attorney William Dealy said. "It's in the complaint. There are very specific allegations in complaint about the ownership and management of Bloomberg LP."
According to the filing:
"Upon information and belief, Michael Bloomberg is responsible for the creation of the systemic, top-down culture of discrimination which exists within Bloomberg."
Bloomberg refused to comment about Wednesday's developments, but on Tuesday was asked about the government's suit.
"I am very proud of the company and what it has done," Bloomberg said. "It's a family-friendly company. I haven't had anything to do with running it or any discussions on any of their employment policies for a long time."
The documents do not offer any proof that the mayor was directly responsible for the women's alleged mistreatment. But it alleges that he's still deeply involved in the company, though he removed himself from management duties when he won the mayoralty in 2001.
It also invokes an old lawsuit against Bloomberg that became an issue in the 2001 mayor's race. The charge was repeated by Bloomberg's opponent at the time, Mark Green.
"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.
The mayor was slated to speak to reporters later Wednesday at Gracie Mansion. The lawsuit Green was referring to was quietly settled out of court.
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