A former Golden State Warriors employee has sued the team and guard Monta Ellis for sexual harassment, claiming the star player sent her dozens of unwanted texts that proposed sexual encounters, including a graphic photo of Ellis' genitalia.
Oakland resident Erika Ross Smith said in a lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court Wednesday that Ellis began sending her explicit messages in November 2010 while she worked as the team's director of community relations.
Ellis allegedly texted Smith "several times in a single day, late at night or in the early morning hours," using a "secret" telephone that was kept by an equipment manager with the team, the suit claims.
The texts from Ellis included phrases like "I want to be with you," and "Hey Sexy," to which Smith responded with, "What do you want?" and "I am sleeping," the suit alleges.
Smith's attorney, Burton Boltuch, said his client's job description was abruptly changed after Ellis' wife, Juanika Amos Ellis, learned of the texts in January and complained to team executives.
Boltuch said Warriors' executives ultimately fired his client in an attempt to rid themselves of a possible sexual harassment complaint from Smith.
"She feared Monta," Boltuch said of Smith. "She knew if she said anything, the Warriors would choose to protect Monta, which is what they've done."
The Warriors disputed the allegations.
"When we were made aware of a consensual relationship between Mr. Ellis and the plaintiff, we did what an organization should do: We told both to stop promptly, directly and fairly," the team's president and chief operating officer, Rick Welts, said in a statement read to reporters in Oakland.
"The Warriors have never taken any action against the plaintiff for any inappropriate reason and we deny the allegations she is making," Welts said. He promised to "vigorously defend the reputation of the Warriors organization in the courts" and refused to answer questions.
At a press conference in Boltuch's Oakland office, Smith said she had worked in the NBA for fourteen years, previously with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns. She said she was never harassed by any other player and was coming forward because she was unfairly fired.
"I loved my job," she said. "I loved giving back to my community."
Boltuch held up a photo of male genitalia which he said Ellis had sent to Smith in Dec. 2010.
"We don't care if it was his or not," Boltuch said. "But we know it came from him and he said it was his junk."
Boltuch accused the Warriors' new ownership organization of engaging in a "vast cover up" to protect Ellis. The attorney said his client was fired nine days after a local reporter texted her and asked if Ellis was "stalking" her.
After Smith told a Warriors' human relations manger about the reporter's inquiry, Smith alleges, she was told "that's not good," before she was terminated.
Ellis is the franchise's most recognized member outside of the Bay Area and widely regarded as the team's best player.
Warriors coaching staff had no comment on the suit at the team's practice Tuesday night.
In 2008, a season after winning the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, Ellis signed a 6-year, $67 million contract extension that made him the highest paid player on the Warriors.
In July 2010, he married Juanika Amos Ellis in Memphis, Tennessee. The couple has one son.
In a video produced by the NBA last year, Ellis said his new family had made him more focused as a player and reflected on his relationship with his wife.
"She was different from other women," Ellis said of his wife. "She didn't take no mess from me. She held me accountable for whatever I done."
[Source : sfgate.com]
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