Former North Carolina Democratic Party employee Adriadn Ortega filed a lawsuit Thursday in Wake County court charging state Democratic Party Chairman David Parker and the party for libel, slander, and breach of contract relating to Ortega’s dismissal from the party in December.
Ortega’s lawsuit states that an April 18 letter sent by party attorney John Wallace to a journalist and an April 19 press conference called by Parker violated a confidential settlement the party made with Ortega earlier this year.
Ortega had entered a complaint in February with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming that Jay Parmley, who was the party’s executive director at the time, created a hostile work environment by making various advances of a sexual nature toward Ortega.
Parmley resigned April 15. Parker offered his resignation at the press conference but at a May 15 meeting, the party’s executive committee refused to let him step down.
The party entered into a confidential settlement with Ortega if he agreed to withdraw the complaint. In return, Ortega would receive one year’s salary and compensation to cover his health insurance. The party and Ortega also agreed not to make any public statements about the settlement.
The lawsuit asks for at least $10,000 in damages, a public apology form, attorneys fees, and other costs.
A copy of Ortega’s complaint can be found here (PDF).