The Source Slapped With Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit From Two Former Employees
Published: Monday - April 11, 2005
Words by Jay Casteel
The Source logo (Photo: The Source)
Former Editor-In-Chief Kim Osorio, of hip-hop magazine The Source, and former Vice President Michelle Joyce, have filed a lawsuit, citing that they worked in a setting that was filled with sexual harassment and severe gender discrimination.
"After dedicating five years to The Source, I could no longer endure the blatant gender discrimination and harassment, so I spoke up. But it only hurt the situation, because I was fired shortly thereafter," said Osorio in a statement. "Unfortunately, discrimination and harassment in the workplace is very common. And now, I must speak out for all women who have been victims of this same type of treatment."
The lawsuit, which is eight pages, was filed in a Manhattan court Monday (April 11), and the pair seek an undisclosed amount of money.
Osorio said that she was abruptly fired from the company after she complained to the company's Human Resources department. The Source co-owners, Ray "Benzino" Scott and Dave Mays, repeatedly requested that she repeal her complaint, but Osorio refused.
Joyce and Osorio detailed their problems with the publication, which is owned by Scott and Mays. In a press release, they stated that a former managing editor would "hide in her office and avoid walking through the corridors out of fear of being sexually harassed." Osorio also stated that another male employee cursed her out and threatened her with physical violence, but was never punished for his actions.
"I chose to take a stand for women of the hip-hop generation and for all women who quietly endure such treatment for fear of retaliation and for those women who have suffered in silence and quietly surrendered," Joyce said.
Kenneth P. Thompson, the pair's lawyer, also spoke about the suit in the press statement. "Ms. Osorio and Ms. Joyce have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward, and we will fully vindicate their rights at trial," he said.
Dave Mays denied the allegations and took aim at the females' credibility.
"Neither of those women ever filed any complaints during many years of working at The Source it raises a lot of questions when these types of charges are made subsequent to valid and legitimate terminations of their employment," Mays said in a statement. "Also it is a fact that Ms. Osorio had sexual relations with a number of high profile rap artists during her employment as Editor-In-Chief."
Mays also said Joyce may have lied about health claims in an effort to attack The Source upon learning she would be terminated.
"We look forward to our day in court on this matter," Mays said.
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