Sexual harassment, emotional distress caused by boss lead to big payday for employee

An attorney with a solo legal practice got what was coming to him when his legal assistant finally sued him after years of relentless and horrific mistreatment. She was awarded almost $200,000 in damages. You’re unlikely to feel any sympathy for the attorney, but you can try to learn a thing or two from his mistakes.

Litany of disturbing allegations

In 2012, Maria Valentina Spagnuolo began working as a legal assistant for Edward P. Holzberg, an attorney with a solo legal practice in Essex County, Massachusetts. Her desk was located in the firm’s reception area, across from his office. When the lawyer was in the office, he worked directly with her as her supervisor.

Spagnuolo alleged Holzberg made numerous comments to her over the course of several years and engaged in repeated behaviors constituting unlawful conduct. Among other things, she accused him of:

• Calling her stupid and a moron as well as a bitch, a slut, and a whore;
• Screaming in her face;
• Proclaiming men are intelligent and women are stupid;
• Making comments about her appearance;
• Standing close behind her to look at her cleavage; and
• Describing his sexual encounters in explicit detail to her.

Spagnuolo also claimed Holzberg made numerous racist comments to her about African-American and Hispanic people, forced her to read e-mails containing racist comments and jokes, and made fun of her accent.