Former Jets VP Files Lawsuit Against Team
Elaine Chen, the ex-vice president of finance for the New York Jets, has initiated legal action against the team, alleging her termination was a retaliatory measure in connection to sexual misconduct claims made against team president Hymie Elhai.
Retaliation Claims
In a lawsuit filed on Thursday and later reviewed by The Athletic, Chen asserts that the Jets took retaliatory steps against her and her husband following the allegations against Elhai.
Team’s Response
The Jets strongly contested these claims on Friday, accusing Chen of playing a role in fabricating the accusations against Elhai, which they maintained were thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. “We are pursuing legal actions, including defamation and libel claims against Ms. Chen, her husband Larry Fitzpatrick, and others involved,” the team stated.
Allegations of Misconduct
Chen claims an anonymous email was sent to various team employees alleging that Elhai had engaged in inappropriate text messaging with multiple female staff members and had displayed other forms of misconduct. The Jets countered that Chen was involved in creating the purportedly fabricated email and misled the organization about her participation.
Investigative Actions
During the investigation regarding the origin of the email, Chen noted that the Jets were focused on identifying individuals supporting the allegations against Elhai, suggesting that they believed those allegations warranted an inquiry and potential disciplinary actions.
Termination of Chen’s Husband
Chen’s husband was allegedly questioned extensively about the anonymous email after receiving a copy, with the lawsuit stating that he “confirmed” the allegations before being terminated. The Jets directly addressed Fitzpatrick in their response, asserting that he had communicated untruths concerning his role in the email.
Allegations of Discrimination
Chen indicated that her termination was predicated on a breach of trust and failure to prioritize the team’s interests. She noted that at least two other employees who received the same emailed complaint were not dismissed. The Jets dismissed her claims of marital status discrimination and retaliation, branding them as baseless and citing legitimate reasons for her termination.
