Special Assistant AG Files Complaint Alleging Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
GoLocalProv News Team and Josh Fenton
Special Assistant AG Files Complaint Alleging Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation
GoLocal has secured a copy of a 13-page letter of complaint filed by Kenneth Filarski, Jr., in which he asserts that he repeatedly brought issues to the senior management of Neronha’s office, citing examples of discrimination, harassment, hostility, and retaliation.
Filarski recounts in the complaint submitted to Adi Goldstein, Nerhona’s Deputy Attorney General, and Aida Crosson, Director of Administration, a series of incidents in which co-workers and supervisors engaged in comments about sexual orientation, used abusive language, and tried to intimidate him.
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Complaint Filed
Filarski asserts in the complaint that “Around the summer of 2022, Erica Rebussini hosted a party at her apartment. Amongst those in attendance were Ashley Papoila and at least one summer intern. After consuming alcohol, their discussion turned to the question of whether I am gay. The conversation regarding my sexual orientation was continued in the workplace.”
According to Filarski, he reported these and other incidents to Deputy Susan Urso, Special Victims Unit Chief Meghan McDonough, and District/Family Court Unit Chief Bethany Laskowski.
“I reported to Urso and McDonough that this behavior constitutes sexual and gender discrimination, harassment, and hostility. Papoila once called me a 'Trump Republican' in front of other coworkers simply because I was wearing a red tie and because I am a capital and credit markets enthusiast. I reported that this behavior constitutes political and socioeconomic discrimination, harassment, and hostility,” wrote Filarski.
Filarski had worked at the Attorney General’s office for approximately two years before leaving in September.
Middle-Aged White Man
In his complaint, Filarski wrote, “I have been told several times by members of the Unit that my opinions don’t matter because I am a middle-aged white man. I reported to Urso and McDonough that this behavior constitutes age and gender discrimination, harassment, and hostility.”
In another example, Filarski cited, “On one occasion, Allison Stackpole physically grabbed with her hand the lip of the pocket of my shirt and yanked it down, feigning that she had fully 'pocketed' me. (When a young person is 'pocketed,' his shirt pocket is grabbed and ripped off completely from the body of the shirt, usually by a bully). Although Stackpole did not rip my pocket off, she did stretch it out, and more importantly, she committed an unwanted touching of my body in the workplace. Imagine if a man had feigned ripping off the clothes of a woman while actually making physical contact with her body. I reported that this behavior constitutes (at the least) tortious battery, harassment, and hostility.”
“Dracula Stupid Ass”
Filarski wrote, “Papoila would constantly make ageist comments about me in the workplace. For example, she repeatedly referred to me as 'Dracula Stupid Ass' (the implication was that I am old like Dracula). Papoila also repeatedly referred to physical U.S. dollars in my possession as 'mothball money.' Papoila would often make these comments in front of everyone in the Unit, including McDonough, during weekly scheduling meetings. I reported to Urso and McDonough that this behavior constitutes age discrimination, harassment, and hostility."
According to Filarski, senior management refused to take action.
“Dambruch used his position of power to effectively deny HR access and to intimidate me into continuing with the meeting. This behavior constitutes discrimination, harassment, and hostility. I also believe this behavior constitutes professional misconduct: To the extent Dambruch participated in, failed to address, and/or facilitated in any way the perpetuation of the discrimination, harassment, hostility, and retaliation described herein, I believe Dambruch did “engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, including but not limited to, harmful or discriminatory treatment of [a lawyer or another] based on gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status,” according to Filarski’s letter.
Neronha's Response
Dambruch, when reached for comment by GoLocal, refused to say if he had reviewed Filarski's letter, and directed GoLocal to Neronha's public relations team.
GoLocal asked Neronha's office, has the attorney general reviewed these complaints, does he believes they are serious, and what steps have been taken to investigate the assertions.
The Neronha PR team said in a statement to GoLocal, "The Office has received and investigated the complaint brought by Mr. Filarski. Based on our internal review, we believe that these allegations are wholly without merit. The Attorney General has full confidence in his management team. As this concerns a personnel matter, as well as potential litigation, this Office will not comment further.
This story was first published 10/23/23 at 3:02 PM and was updated at 4:17 PM with a statement from Neronha's office.