Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ex-NY1 Reporter's Sexual Harassment Suit Goes To Court
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2010
Modified Apr 12, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2010
Modified Apr 12, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A former NY1 reporter who claims that her complaints about sexual harassment and a hostile work environment have kept her from new work opportunities will be in court this week. Adele Sammarco tells that the Daily News "in the nine years she's been off the air, she's been able to find work only in public relations jobs on Staten Island" and says, "I'm relieved my case is finally going to trial after a near-decade of fighting. I believe in equal pay for equal work and that no one should ever be abused on the job."
Sammarco grievances include how former reporter (and former spokesman for former Comptroller Bill Thompson) Jeff Simmons Photoshopped a picture of her to have huge breasts, former reporter Gary Anthony Ramsay "attacked" her while he was driving her how, many staffers "regularly referred to her by the acronym 'BBB' and later told her the nickname stood for 'Big Butt Booty'" and that Vice President of Programming Steve Paulus had "a dozen news assistants rate who had 'bigger boobs' - Sammarco or another reporter. Sammarco won."
She was fired in 2001, after complaining about Ramsay's behavior; Sammarco claims it was for her complaints but NY1 says she wasn't a good reporter. In court papers, the station says, "Simply put, Sammarco's claims of a hostile work environment are an after-the-fact work of fiction." Last year, the expected witness list included many local media personalities, including Dominic Carter and Jimmy Breslin. Carter, who was let go from the station when convicted of beating his wife, had left a voicemail for Sammarco saying she got a "raw deal."
Tagged
adele sammarco
harassment
hostile work environment
media
ny1
sexual harassment
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .