A former Detroit Pistons worker stated Thursday she was sexually harassed and assaulted by former group government Rob Murphy, resulting in his firing as assistant normal supervisor a day earlier.
DeJanai Raska informed Detroit’s WJBK tv that Murphy groped her in entrance of his daughter and at group services and tried to pressure her into having intercourse.
Raska is suing Murphy and the Pistons for sexual discrimination and harassment. A grievance filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may result in a federal case.
“Silence is not an option,” Raska stated. “I really want justice. This is my chance to voice the truth, my way, and it will be heard and take my power back.”
Murphy, a former faculty coach, was named president of the Pistons’ developmental group in March 2021 and 6 months later was promoted to supervise scouting for the Pistons earlier than being promoted to assistant normal supervisor of the Pistons in June 2022.
The Pistons positioned Murphy on go away final October as they investigated allegations towards him, setting the stage for his firing on Wednesday for violating firm coverage and the phrases of his employment settlement.
Raska stated she noticed the prospect at a put up with the developmental membership as a “dream come true” however quickly discovered her duties had been extra of these of a private assistant for Murphy, which set the stage for harassment and assault.
“Rob attempted to force me to have sex with him, and that’s something hard to talk about,” Raska stated.
“It was like a nightmare happened. And then being treated this way is heartbreaking. I can’t even watch basketball.”
Raska stated she feared she can be fired if she took her points to human sources however confided in co-workers, considered one of whom inspired her to talk up.
“We were both in tears talking about it,” Raska stated. “She’s like, ‘You have to say something. He has to be stopped.’ And in that sit-down, I realized that I was going to be the person to stop him.”
Raska contacted lawyer Megan Bonanni, who contacted the Pistons along with her considerations.
“We gave them a list of what happened and we asked them to investigate and look into it,” Bonanni stated.
Raska stated she felt “liberated” to listen to of Murphy’s suspension and later met with Pistons attorneys.
