New Twist in East Haven Mayor Maturo Sex Harassment Settlement

EAST HAVEN, CT - It seems that the recent $175,000 settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former employee against East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. may not be the final chapter in the story.

The parties in the lawsuit have requested a conference with the court on November 9th, which in layman's terms, means the two sides are having difficulty finalizing the terms of the settlement agreement.

The agreement includes not only paying the $175,000 to Francine Carbone but also medical benefits for her and her husband.

The town of East Haven's taxpayers are liable for the payments.

Several members of the public recently appeared before the Town Council, expressing their unhappiness about the settlement - and the fact that taxpayers and not Maturo are liable for the legal bills.

Meanwhile, Democratic Town Chairman Marc Conte has said he would filing an Freedom of Information request for all bills related to the settlement. He said he wouldn't be surprised if the taxpayers wind up paying $500,000 or more for the settlement when all the bills are totaled, including legal fees.

Maturo has responded to Conte's words with his own statement, which said in part:

"The Town has not suffered an adverse judgment and I have done absolutely nothing wrong. Quite oppositely, I have sought only to safeguard the Town in the best ways I know possible from both embarrassment and financial liability," said Maturo. "Despite Mr. Conte's partisan antics, there is no basis, in law or in logic, to demand my resignation or that I bear the burden of attorney's fees associated with any of Mrs. Carbone's actions against the Town."

In 2015, former Town Hall secretary Carbone filed a lawsuit, claiming she faced a continual pattern of harassment from Maturo, including inappropriate remarks and obscene gestures, since her employment began in January 1997. During one incident in 2013, Carbone claims Maturo exposed himself in her office.

From Jan. 25, 1997, to Oct. 17, 2014, Carbone was employed by the town. In October of 2014 she was fired.
According to the lawsuit, Maturo continually made comments regarding Carbone's body.

The complaint also alleges that Maturo grabbed his crotch in front of Carbone and in front of a town official.

The incident that Carbone first made involved Maturo allegedly exposing himself to her while she bent down to file documents in a cabinet. Carbone alleges that Maturo's behavior made her working conditions "intolerable," causing "severe emotional distress.

Carbone also filed a Family Medical Leave Act lawsuit, alleging the Maturo administration retaliated against her for taking medical leave.

She lost that case.

Recently, a second East Haven resident told Patch that she, too, had continually been sexually harassed by Maturo.

Roxanne Melillo, who ran on a ticket with Maturo in 2011, said she was continually harassed by Maturo.