http://www.newsday.com/sports/basket...,5133929.story

Dolan: I canned MSG exec for interfering
BY ANTHONY M. DESTEFANO | tony.destefano@newsday.com
September 19, 2007

A female Madison Square Garden executive was fired because she willfully interfered in a company probe of her sexual harassment allegations against Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, MSG chairman James Dolan said in videotaped testimony played Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan.

Dolan, wearing what appeared to be a dark turtleneck sweater for the December 2006 deposition, appeared unapologetic as he was questioned by attorneys representing fired executive Anucha Browne Sanders.

"With all due respect, Mr. Dolan, you said that she willfully violated company policies and undermined [the company] investigation of her charges," said attorney Anne Vladeck, who represents Browne Sanders in her lawsuit against Dolan, Thomas and MSG.
"That's right ... by bringing in people who were ... attempting to influence the process," responded Dolan.

Poker-faced throughout most of the 10-minute excerpt of the deposition played in court, Dolan cracked a smile only when asked to recall if he consulted anyone before deciding to fire Browne Sanders in early 2006.

"Well, all decisions at the Garden I make on my own," Dolan said with a big grin.

Dolan said he didn't consult with MSG lawyers about his decision and would have overriden the advice of lawyers if they told him not to fire her.

"Because I felt that the overall health of the Garden was at jeopardy here, and that that would override any opinion. ... Counsel might have otherwise, that we should have Ms. Sanders stay in the job," Dolan said.

Asked if the use of the word "bitch" was appropriate, Dolan said it wasn't. Browne Sanders has testified that Thomas routinely addressed her with that word.

"No, it is not appropriate, it is also not appropriate to murder some one," he said, without further explaning the analogy.

Dolan's deposition came during a day in which attorneys for Browne Sanders, 44, the former marketing head at MSG, rested their case in the $10 million harassment and retaliatory dismissal lawsuit.

Browne Sanders testified earlier that Thomas spewed a host of obscenities at her, also calling her a "ho" when she wanted to talk business. She also testified that Thomas made unwanted sexual advances towards her. Thomas has denied acting inappropriately.

Tuesday attorneys for Browne Sanders brought in a number of witnesses who testified that she had complained to them about Thomas' behavior and the obscenities he heaped on her. Faye Brown, a former administrative assistant at MSG, said Browne Sanders had complained to her about Thomas using the words "bitch" and "ho."

Brown, who worked for Browne Sanders for about four years, was so embarrassed to use obscenities in court that she sometimes spelled them out instead.

"She was in disbelief. ... At times she would cry," said Brown, who isn't related to the plaintiff.

But Brown could turn out to be useful for both sides. While each witness told the jury that Browne Sanders complained to them about Thomas' behavior and obscenities, they also said during cross-examination that they never heard Thomas use foul language or talk in disparaging terms about her.

Another taped deposition played yesterday was that of Rusty McCormack, a senior vice president for human resources at MSG. He said that employees were obligated to report harassment under company policy and that calling someone a "black bitch" -- as Browne Sanders says happened -- had overtones of racial and gender bias.

The defense is expected to begins its case Wednesday.

Matthew Chayse contributed to this report.

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Dolan obviously slipped up here. He states that he made the decision to fire the exec without first consulting legal counsel.
Another thing is this isn't a female reporter

[Edited by - playa2 on 20-09-2007 09:42]