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Deja vu - PHA Director Greene Facing Allegations of Sexual Harassment

No, it is not 1998.  It only feels that way, for in 1998, then Mayor Ed Rendell, hired Carl Greene to head the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA).  This hiring sparked protests by tenants organizations, PHA residents, and women’s groups who were outraged that Greene was courted for this post despite allegations of sexual harassment pending against him in Detroit.

Fast forward to August 2010, and once again Greene is in the headlines with allegations of sexual harassment and growing financial problems.  On August 23, the Women’s Law Project (WLP) sent a letter to the Chairperson of the Board of the PHA, John Street, requesting a full investigation of the charges against Greene. "Sexual harassment is an invidious form of employment discrimination that pollutes the work environment and violates numerous civil rights statutes. Although thousands of cases are brought to the attention of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other regulatory bodies each year, it is widely believed that most victims do not report it. Fear of job loss, retaliation, and humiliation are major deterrents.  Reporting any kind of employment discrimination is difficult for its victim, but it is particularly onerous when reporting it requires disclosure of behavior that is sexual in nature.

The WLP is concerned that Greene ’s personal financial problems have overshadowed the far more serious issues regarding his personal conduct in the workplace. If the press coverage is accurate that six sexual harassment complaints have been filed against him, then a full-scale inquiry is needed.  Although much has been made of Greene’s contributions to public housing in Philadelphia, his treatment of employees and adherence to non-discrimination laws is also central to his job performance and retention.

In an editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, PHA Probe Needed, the paper called for an independent investigation separate from the PHA Board, and it also called upon Mayor Nutter to take appropriate action. Please join with the Women’s Law Project and ask the Board of the PHA to conduct a full investigation into all of the allegations of sexual harassment against Carl Greene.  

Women’s Advocates Applaud Appeals Court Ruling Vindicating Rape Survivor

In a precedent-setting decision, Judge Kent A. Jordan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denounced myths about rape while reinstating the civil rights lawsuit of a Butler County sexual assault victim.  Reedy v. Evanson is a case against the Cranberry Township safety director and police officers who wrongfully arrested and charged Sara Reedy with theft, stolen property, and making false reports to law enforcement authorities after she reported the sexual assault and theft of money from her place of employment.  She sat in jail for five days and awaited a criminal trial for eight months until a serial rapist confessed to sexually assaulting her and other victims. 

The District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania dismissed Ms. Reedy’s civil lawsuit after finding the Township police officers had probable cause to arrest her.  In rejecting the rape myths on which the police and the District Court relied, the Third Circuit adopted arguments submitted by the Women’s Law Project in its amicus brief in support of plaintiff Reedy on behalf of 39 non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the criminal justice system’s response to violence against women. (Go to full press release.)

Court Certifies Class in Title IX Action Against Delaware State University

Fromson of Women's Law Project and Fletman of Flaster/Greenberg PC
Approved as Class Counsel

(Philadelphia, PA - July 13, 2010) A Federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware yesterday (July 12, 2010) granted class action status to a lawsuit filed by Delaware State University (DSU) equestrian team members suing DSU for violating Title IX by eliminating the women’s equestrian team at the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year and failing to provide equal athletic opportunities for female students.

The Court certified a class of “all present, prospective and future DSU female students, including currently enrolled students, students admitted for the 2010-11 academic year, and prospective students who participate, seek to participate, or have been deterred or prevented from participating in or obtaining the benefits of, intercollegiate athletics sponsored by DSU. The Court also approved the eight named plaintiffs as representatives of the class, and designated Abbe F. Fletman of Flaster/Greenberg PC and Terry L. Fromson of the Women’s Law Project as class counsel. (See full press release.)

Improving Unemployment Compensation for Women in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has an opportunity to improve Unemployment Compensation (UC) coverage for vulnerable workers and their families and receive $273 million in federal funds for doing so. This is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, and 39 states have already enacted reforms enabling them to qualify for funding. But first, the Pennsylvania legislature must enact HB2400 which would amend our state Unemployment Compensation Law. Please contact your representative in the Pennsylvana House and ask them to support HB2400. Learn more about UC in PA and HB 2400.

Governor Rendell Signs Legislation Banning Shackling of Pregnant Prisoners

On July 2, just two days after the Pennsylvania House unimously passed SB1074, Governor Rendell signed SB1074 into law. Formerly known as the Healthy Birth for Incarcerated Women Act, this law now bans the shackling of pregnant inmates in transit to a medical facility, during labor, and for a reasonable amount of time after labor. The new law does permit restraints in extraordinary circumstances, however, this will now be the exception and no longer the rule. Pennsylvania becomes the eighth state to ban shackling of pregnant inmates during childbirth via statute.  The other states are: Texas, New Mexico, New York, California, Washington, Illinois, and Vermont.

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