Business & Tech

'Disgruntled Employee' Behind Sex Harassment Suit, Firm Says

Financial firm speaks out against female employee's lawsuit claiming sexual advances were made toward her by company's owners.

Despite a lawsuit that claims its owners and managing partners sexually harassed a female employee and treated new workers like fraternity pledges, Hennion & Walsh denies all allegations that have been made against it.

Working on behalf of the Parsippany financial firm, Jacqueline Kolek of Peppercomm Public Relations said in an email to Patch, “Hennion & Walsh vigorously denies the baseless allegations asserted in Ms. Lakicevic’s lawsuit, and is confident that it will be fully vindicated once the truth comes to light in this matter.”

Kelli Lakicevic was employed by Hennion & Walsh from August 2012 to February 2014 as a recruiter. A month after her termination earlier this year, she filed suit in Superior Court in Bergen County claiming she had been wrongfully fired when she tried to address the sexual harassment that was allegedly posed in her direction.

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“[Hennion & Walsh] is a firm that is deeply committed to providing its employees with a positive and respectful work environment, and is saddened by the fact that a single disgruntled former employee has attempted to call into question the hard work and dedication of the team of professionals at Hennion & Walsh who work tirelessly to help their clients achieve their financial goals and dreams,” the statement read.

In the suit, Lakicevic says the work environment was like that of a college frat house, involving “alcohol-fueled hazing incidents and sexual overtures” that created a hostile work environment.

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Lakicevic also said both founders personally made advances toward her and paraded her around the office for visitors while they commented on her looks.


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