Community Corner
Ex-Norwalk Employee Sues for Sexual Harassment
Former city employee alleges that his former boss made sexual advances toward him; then forced his resignation.
A former employee in Norwalk’s finance department is reportedly suing the city, alleging that his former boss, Director of Finance Thomas S. Hamilton, sexually harassed him.
According to an article in the Norwalk Hour published Saturday, citing the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Oswald S. Lewis, former director of management and budgets, alleges that Hamilton directed obscene gestures his way when they were alone together during the period Lewis worked for the City from Sept. 25, 2006, until July 22, 2010.
The lawsuit claims that when Lewis didn’t react to Hamilton's advances, Hamilton retaliated by making up bogus performance reviews on Lewis, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The lawsuit further alleges that when Lewis met with Hamilton and Director of Personnel and Labor Relations H. James Haselkamp in May 2010, he was told to resign or otherwise he would be fired, according to the report.
The city, Hamilton and Haselkamp are reportedly named as defendants in the lawsuit. Lewis is suing for lost wages and to have his job reinstated.
Find out what's happening in Norwalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In the Norwalk Hour report, Corporation Counsel Robert F. Maslan Jr. said the City plans to “vigorously contest the allegations in the complaint” and will “defend all three defendants to the fullest extent of the law.”
