More is coming out about the work environment at NY1 now that former correspondent Adele Sammarco's sexual harassment suit has gone to court. Former employee Doug Dillon testified yesterday against NY1 executive Steve Paulus, saying he frequently partook in "locker-room banter" about female co-workers. "It was on a regular basis. It would be safe to say, once or twice a week," said Dillon.
However, NY1's lawyers are trying to peg the problems on Sammarco, saying she is overreacting to being called nicknames like "Big Butt Booty" and allegedly having male coworkers shoving their tongues down her throat. According to the Post, NY1's lawyer Bettina Plevin argued that she just has a "narcissistic personality disorder," and her co-workers are not at fault. To prove their point, some of Sammarco's e-mails were used as evidence that she had a diva attitude when it came to work. She once complained to manager Steven Paulus about having to work with the interns, saying, "WHY ARE THESE KIDS JUMPING INTO THE POOL WITHOUT TAKING SWIMMING LESSONS FIRST." However, this seems to have little to do with any alleged sexual harassment.
