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By LARRY NEUMEISTER, APNEW YORK (AP) - Madison Square Garden and New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas reached an $11.5 million (7.8 million) settlement of the sexual harassment case brought by a former team executive.
The deal came on Monday as Anucha Browne Sanders was preparing to return to U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where her description of her ordeal with the Knicks exposed the NBA club's tawdry side, from its dysfunctional clubhouse to its star player's sexual exploits with an intern.
A jury awarded her $11.6 million in punitive damages. This deal replaces that.
"I am extremely pleased that we have reached a settlement," Browne Sanders said in a statement. "The jury's verdict in this case sent a powerful and enduring message that harassment and retaliation at Madison Square Garden will not be tolerated. ... It has been a long journey, but I believe that justice has been done."
The case was supposed to resume this week before U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch, who was set to decide how much Browne Sanders was owed in compensatory damages, a payout that usually involves lost wages and future loss of income. The Knicks also faced the possibility they might be ordered to pay what was likely to be millions of dollars (euros) in legal fees.
By settling, the Knicks avoided paying her legal fees, while Browne Sanders gets her money faster and avoids the possibility of having her award reduced on appeal.
Although Browne Sanders had demanded the right to resume working for the Knicks, one of her lawyers, Kevin Mintzer, said she will continue working at the University at Buffalo as an associate athletic director and senior woman administrator.
"As I have said before, I am completely innocent," Thomas said. "This decision doesn't change that. However, this is the best course for Madison Square Garden, and I fully support it."
Because the jury was unable to reach a verdict on one of the accusations against Thomas, the possibility of another trial loomed. It would have brought with it another wave of negative publicity about the team and the off-court escapades that made the first trial a feeding frenzy for those interested in the inner workings of one of the NBA's most storied franchises.
"We don't feel any less strongly than we did throughout the entire episode," MSG said in a statement. "The outcome was a travesty of justice, and we vehemently disagree with the jury's decision, however, at the strong request of (the NBA commissioner) and in the interest of focusing on basketball, we can all agree that it is time for us to move on and put this issue behind us."
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
Comments: (19)
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By: JC on 12/12/2007 4:24AM
The Jury Has Spoken. She Settled For A Little Less Than The Jury Awarded, Yet She Has Prevailed. Let This Be A Lesson Learned For Those Fools Who Commit Sexual Harassment. Sexual Harassment Is No Joke. Offenders Can Find Themselves Behind Bars And Publicly Humiliated!
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By: meechie on 12/12/2007 6:25PM
poppin off:why has all the presidents of the united state are all white.from 04/30/1789 to 12/01/2008.an from 04/30/1789 to 03/04/1933most of them owned slaves.this is an old pagan practice,brought to this country,from the old counrty of england.an the trick of thier trade goes like this.keep the african americans out of business,so white americans can,control them,an stay in business.
now when you shop at these big box stores,owned by the k.k.k.take a real good look around you.these big box stores have allowed,these old decreeped baby boomers to walk around thier stores,an spy on african americans.an they are posted up,out in the parking lots too.what do they look like.look for the fart with the veterans ball cap on his head.k.k.k
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By: meechie on 12/12/2007 8:05PM
blacks trying to make a change,for the better.are sick ,an tired of.the blacks that walk around with that confederate flag across thier mouth.these blacks are overseers of other blacks.the k.k.k calls them 13.for the first 13 colonies.an the 13 stars on the confederate flag.an the 13th amendment of the constitution.an it goes much deeper.take a good look at these blacks up close,an personel.an you will find an oriole.black on the outside,white on the inside.these blacks at know fault of thier own.suffer from the willie lynch syndrome.they do not think for themselfs,an care not to.as long as mr.charle keeps thier heads above water.in mr.charles eyes these are boys,an girls.for him to have at will,an for his pleasures.because mr.charle looks not at them as men,an women.why because he holds his head down,an never make eye contact with mr.charle .straighten your back bone boys ,an girls.so keep a close eye on these orioles.they will cost you your life.or put you in the modern day slave ship.prison!
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By: GW on 12/13/2007 12:40PM
Poor Isaiah. He can't win for loosing since he took off the uniform. But I think he is learning how to keep his mouth shut until his words clearly express what is in his brain.
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By: Jimmy Jam on 12/14/2007 9:47PM
Isiah is in seerious DENIAL, first of the Allegations
as well as his inability to COACH. He don't have a clue on whats going on and sooner or later somebody
gonna nudge Dolan and tell him GET RID OF that JERK.
The fans deserve alot better than what they've had
in the last few years. His butt should have been gone long ago. he still thinks he's a bad boy and can do as
he pleases, huh I don't think the people of New York
will keep putting up with the likes of that DUMBASS.
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By: lynn on 12/20/2007 1:07AM
Dude:
Let the courts and his lawyer handle the legal stuff. On the court, let him coach! Chill!!!
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By: Vankee on 12/23/2007 12:08PM
Brothers,
Every woman-black or white, Asian, Mexican,etc. deserve to be treated with respect. Her sexual orientation has nothing to do with this case. As usual, you "stud mandingos" think that just because this "black woman" rejected Mr.Super Jock, she must be a lesiban. He demeaned her. He embrassed her. But of course, you culture takes delight in devaluing black women- we are are all bitches and whores. Even your mama and grandmama. Right???
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By: YEN on 12/23/2007 10:13PM
I WAS SEXUALLY HARRASED AND I ONLY GOT 80 THOUSAND FROM THE SON OF A BITCH. I KNOW NOW WHO TO LEAN TOWARD TO LOL
YEN
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By: Tommy on 12/26/2007 1:53PM
Isiah Thomas. Michael Jordan. Michael Strahan. Travis Henry. Kobe Bryant. Mike Tyson. Dr. J. Apparently Steve Harvey. Me.
Sadly the list never ends and here's the sad part:
We as Black men still don't get it: sexual sin will cost you dearly!!!
Whether you don't agree with the bible or not, the bottom line is true: God says sex is for marraige only and any one who crosses the line will pay a price, no matter how rich you are(God is no respector of persons. If Johnny Welfare Check sexually sins, he will pay the same price as Mr. Hall of Famer).
I don't care if it's porn, masterbation, one night stands, or making out one day before you're supposed to get married:
LUST AND PRE-MARITAL SEX IS A TICKET TO DISASTER.
And yet, too many of us would rather keep Maury Povich in business instead of God.
Something's wrong with that picture, don't you think?
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