U. MAKE ME SICK
He sues Pace, sez sex harass by female boss
A marketing honcho at Pace University relentlessly sexually harassed an underling — even going so far as to FaceTime him nude, a new lawsuit charges.
Pace University ignored complaints about Chief Marketing Officer Freddi Wald’s “unrelenting harassment and sexual obsession” toward school spokesman Scott Trent, the explosive suit claims.
Trent was fired from the lower Manhattan university in August 2017 without explanation. He claims Wald retaliated against him in the months prior to his termination because he rejected her bold sexual overtures.
Trent claims he received so many raunchy FaceTime calls from Wald that he placed tape over the camera on his phone so she wouldn’t know if he’d answered.
“When the first call was opened, Wald was nude and barely clothed the second time. In both instances, Trent immediately terminated the calls and would not accept, answer, or return any FaceTime call thereafter,” the lawsuit reads. “Trent was startled, shocked and repulsed at seeing his boss nude.”
Arguably the most outrageous example of alleged sexual harassment came in March 2017 when a student died of autoerotic asphyxiation, the suit says.
Wald, after learning of the tragedy, “inquired of Trent if he had ever engaged in such masturbatory activity himself, if he knew others that did, and if he had insight into how common a practice this activity was among men in general,” the suit claims.
“During the entirety of Trent’s employment…Wald expressed to Trent that her husband had experienced a declining interest in engaging in sexual activity with her and, instead, he preferred to watch. Wald expressed her resulting frustration with this circumstance between her and her husband, and referenced the use of sex toys and vibrators as a remedy.”
A Pace spokeswoman said it investigated Trent’s allegations and determined they were without merit.
“We have a zero tolerance policy against harassment and discrimination,” the spokeswoman said. “If we receive a complaint, we investigate and take appropriate action. Based on the information provided and substantial records reviewed, there has been no finding of harassment or discrimination.”
The alleged harassment began when Trent was hired as executive director of media relations in 2014, the Manhattan Federal Court suit says. Office holiday parties were particularly awkward.
At the 2015 holiday party, “Wald draped her arms over Trent’s shoulders so that her hands were on his chest, as she rocked back and forth, rubbing up against him from behind. Wald indicated she liked his suit and asked what brand it was, as she ran her hands across the fabric,” the complaint reads.
“Wald stated to other Pace employees present that Trent was the best dressed person in the office, and that she found it attractive that Trent put such effort into his personal appearance and presentation…Wald also commented that Trent smelled good to her, dipping her head to smell Trent’s hair. Wald also expressed that she could always tell when Trent had been in the office from the smell of his cologne. She asked him the name of the cologne and how to spell it.”
Things escalated at the 2016 holiday party, the suit claims.
“She repeatedly attempted to undress Trent in full view of university relations staff, including removing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. Wald seductively and aggressively groped his chest and buttocks,” the suit says.
A miniature Santa hat was just another opportunity for Wald’s inappropriate jokes, according to the suit.