On October 2, 2007 a jury of four women and three men declared that New York Knicks’ coach, Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden sexually harassed former team executive, Anucha Browne Sanders. 

Ms. Sanders was fired from her $260,000 a year job in 2006. Following her termination Ms. Sanders filed a lawsuit alleging that Thomas sexually harassed her and that the Garden retaliated against her after she complained about the treatment she endured.  Ms. Sanders alleged that Thomas routinely insulted her and made unwanted sexual advances toward her.   Ms. Sanders alleged that Thomas often asked her to visit him "off-site."  Thomas denied Ms. Sanders claims of sexual harassment and instead claimed she was fired because she was incompetent and unable to adapt after he took over as the president of the Knicks.   Thomas did, however, admit that he tried to kiss Ms. Sanders in December, 2005 and that she refused his advances.  A jury ultimately sided with Ms. Sanders and awarded her $11.6 million in damages but ruled that Thomas did not have to pay punitive damages.  Instead the jury decided that the Garden owed $6 million for allowing a hostile work environment to exist and $2.6 million for retaliating against Ms. Sanders following her complaints of sexual harassment.  In addition the jury ruled that the Garden’s chairman, James Dolan owed $3 million for firing her out of spite.

Debora A. Concepcion