In lawsuit, former employee accuses film union official of sex harassment
Woman says Hendry blacklisted her in industry, according to court filing
Jon Hendry of Santa Fe, a leader in the local chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and a prominent figure in New Mexico’s film industry, is accused in a new lawsuit of sexually harassing a former union employee, touching her inappropriately and attempting to block her from finding other work in the industry after the union fired her.
Christa Valdez, who says she spent five years working for IATSE Local 480 as a public relations representative, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in state District Court in Santa Fe.
According to the suit, Hendry “continually harassed and intimidated” Valdez with sexual propositions while she worked at the union. In a text message he sent Valdez on Aug. 30, 2016, the suit says, Hendry asked her, “Could you send me a pic of your naked sweaty skinny body. At least one of us will feel much better.”
Valdez also claims in the suit that Hendry grabbed her buttocks, showed employees nude photos on his phone and bragged that he “ruined careers of people in the industry who crossed him.”
IATSE Local 480 and Hendry, the union’s business agent, are both named as defendants in the suit, which alleges wrongful discharge, negligence, sexual harassment and interference with Valdez’s contracts.
Hendry said he couldn’t comment on the pending litigation and referred comments to the union’s lawyer, Robert Giolito. Giolito also declined to comment.
Valdez’s attorney, Trent Howell, did not return a call seeking comment.
The union gave Valdez a notice of termination in August 2017, she says in the suit, but union officials’ reasons for the termination kept changing.
After she learned she would be fired, the suit says, Valdez complained about Hendry’s behavior
to the union’s president and chief financial officer. The officials “acknowledged they were aware of other persons making similar complaints against Mr. Hendry,” the lawsuit says, but allowed Hendry to continue working in his position.
Meanwhile, Valdez says, her last day with the union was in October.
After that, according to the suit, she had another opportunity to work for the union, but Hendry “falsely claimed Ms. Valdez had spoken out in a derogatory way against IATSE.”
Last month, Valdez started working under a contract with Robert Baxter Casting, a local company, according to the suit.
But only days later, the suit says, Baxter told Valdez that “Mr. Hendry strongly advised him not to have anything to do with Ms. Valdez” and threatened to blacklist Baxter Casting from IATSE projects if he continued to work with Valdez.
As a result, the suit says, the casting company “ceased performance” on its contract with her.
Baxter could not be reached to comment on Valdez’s claims about the contract.
“Defendants have caused and continue to cause Ms. Valdez damages including, but not limited to, lost income and economic advantage,” the suit says.
According to Valdez’s lawsuit, she and Howell are asking for a jury trial and are seeking financial reparations, including back pay, lawyers’ fees and compensation for emotional distress.
Hendry’s accusation comes amid a national #MeToo movement to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace by sharing personal experiences and identifying men in power accused of harassing or assaulting workers or others.
The movement has been particularly strong in Hollywood, with notable allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey. The movement also has targeted U.S. and state lawmakers, including some in New Mexico.