The female lawyer who accused City Councilman Allan Jennings of sexual harassment filed a lawsuit yesterday, claiming Speaker Gifford Miller tried to “smear” her.
“The recent incidents of retaliation include public statements by the speaker and [his former counsel Tom] McMahon that [Saphora] Lifrak had lied,” says the suit, filed in Manhattan federal court.
“As an attorney. . . Lifrak was damaged both personally and professionally by this concerted effort to smear her.”
Lifrak maintains that she informed Miller and McMahon of her run-ins with Jennings – including one where he allegedly revealed his sexual predilections – as far back as May 2002.
Both men insist they weren’t made aware of the details until Lifrak put them in writing in September 2002, when they promptly removed her as counsel to Jennings’ committee.
Lifrak’s suit alleges that a firm hired by the council to investigate her allegations slanted its findings to protect Miller and McMahon.
“The ADR [the investigative firm] report mischaracterized or ignored statements from witnesses, including other council members, who buttressed Lifrak’s allegations,” the complaint says.
“The ADR report is flawed in many respects,” said the complaint filed by Lifrak’s lawyer, Anne Vladek.
“For example, it credits Lifrak’s version of events with respect to Jennings but credits McMahon and Miller on all other disputed issues. ”
David Chai, Miller’s spokesman, said there is “absolutely no truth” to Lifrak’s smear claim.
He said ADR worked independently, and Miller tried at every turn to protect the confidentiality of everyone in the case.
Richard Emery, McMahon’s lawyer, called the lawsuit an “opportunistic piece of garbage” designed only to “get press.”
“We have absolute confidence that [ADR’s findings] that Saphora was not credible will be upheld,” declared Emery. “This lawsuit is real junk.”
Lifrak has worked for the council since 1993, and serves as counsel to the Ethics Committee.
She charged that the chair of that committee, Councilwoman Helen Sears (D-Queens), was among those who gave her short shrift when she first complained about Jennings’ behavior.
“Their concern appeared to be greater about Lifrak’s workload than about Jennings’ conduct,” the complaint said.
Sears – whose committee is weighing action against Jennings – declined comment.
Sears said she continues to have an “ongoing relationship” with Lifrak, who is working with her staff on a new ethics manual.
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‘The recent incidents of retaliation include public statements by the Speaker … that Lifrak had lied.’