Pistons Fire Assistant GM Rob Murphy Post Allegations Of Sexual Harassment & Assault
After receiving complaints of impropriety from a female employee, the Detroit Pistons dismissed assistant general manager Rob Murphy six months ago. Late on Wednesday, Murphy was let go. The lady who came forward now claims that it was sexual harassment and assault rather than just misbehaviour.
Pistons Fire Assistant GM Rob Murphy Post Allegations Of Sexual Harassment & Assault
After she started working as Murphy’s executive assistant in September 2021, DeJanai Raska claimed in a Detroit Free Press story that was published on Thursday that Murphy engaged in a number of harassing behaviors, including grabbing her buttocks, groping her in front of her 4-year-old daughter, and telling her he wanted to “put a baby in her.” Additionally, she claimed that Murphy, who was the G League team’s president and general manager at the time, was attempting to coerce her into having sex.
Pistons Fire Assistant GM Rob Murphy After Female Staffer's Misconduct Claim https://t.co/29hItPQE65
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 4, 2023
DeJanai “DJay” Raska is the now-retired worker in question. It was her desire to work for the NBA club representing her city.
“Growing up in the city, really looking up to the Pistons – ‘the Bad Boys’,” Raska said. “To have this opportunity with the Pistons was like a dream come true for me.”
The nightmare, however, didn’t last, and she is currently reliving it.
“I feel like it was like a nightmare happened. And then being treated this way is heartbreaking,” she said. “I can’t even watch basketball.”
DeJanai Raska — Rob Murphy's former executive assistant — filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Pistons today.
Raska came forward to @freep's Tresa Baldas about Murphy's months-long sexual harassment and abuse, leading to his suspension and recent firing.https://t.co/akNwQKiY23
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) May 4, 2023
This executive assistant claims that instead of making travel arrangements, responding to emails, or scheduling meetings, she took on the role of Murphy’s personal assistant. She said that picking up his teenage kid from school each day was one of her responsibilities. She claims that she was given custody of her boss’s son despite being a single mother with a child of her own.
Why then did she stay? because she needed to provide for her own family.
Pistons Fire Assistant GM Rob Murphy After Female Staffer's Misconduct Claim https://t.co/Hit2YTrFTf
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 4, 2023
“Because I did give my other positions away – my other careers away – I have to support my daughter and I have to keep this roof over our heads. So if (all) you want me to do is pick up your son and take care of your son, I’m going to do it.”
Raska continued to ignore him but was unable to disregard what he had done.
“That’s when I had to realize this is not okay. This is not typical – a man hitting on you, a man being interested in you. This is a man using his power to abuse, harass, and assault you. This is not okay.”
The Pistons recently fired assistant GM Rob Murphy, the team confirmed to The Athletic.
Murphy was placed on leave in October as Detroit launched an investigation into a claim of workplace misconduct with a former female employee.https://t.co/wS2aD4tIe3
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) May 4, 2023
The Pistons suspended Murphy in October 2022, citing an investigation of improper behavior with a former female employee.
Late on Wednesday night, the team announced that Murphy had been fired for breaking both company policy and the terms of his job contract.
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