A New York City employee has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The complaint, filed on January 7, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, targets the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and Reynaldo Cabezas.
The lawsuit, brought by Tami Howard through her attorneys at Phillips & Associates, PLLC, claims she was subjected to ongoing sexual harassment by her supervisor, Cabezas, while working as an Assistant City Highway Repairer at NYC DOT's Brooklyn Yard.
Howard alleges that after being transferred to the "Excavation" unit under Cabezas' supervision in July 2023, he began making unsolicited offers to assist her with work tasks and repeatedly contacted her outside of work hours with invasive personal questions.
Despite Howard’s rejections of these advances, Cabezas is accused of escalating the situation by spreading false rumors about her relationships with male coworkers and following her to job sites.
The lawsuit claims the conduct created a hostile work environment, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Executive Law, and the New York City Administrative Code.
Howard contends that NYC DOT is vicariously liable for Cabezas’ actions due to the department's failure to address the allegations after being informed of the situation.
Howard is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. She also requests reimbursement for legal fees and demands a jury trial.
Representing Howard is attorney Max C. Bracero from Phillips & Associates, PLLC. The case is assigned Case No. 1:25-cv-00109.