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NYC transit union chief ousted over allegations of sexual abuse, union says
By
David Giambusso
Published Jan 25, 2025
Modified Jan 25, 2025
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Courtesy of TWU Local 100.
By
David Giambusso
Published Jan 25, 2025
Modified Jan 25, 2025
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Richard Davis, head of the the city’s largest and most influential transit union, is leaving his post amid allegations of sexual misconduct with an employee, the union Transportation Workers Union Local 100 said in a statement.
The ouster, first reported by the Chief Leader, follows an internal report by the union saying there were “credible” allegations that Davis, head of TWU Local 100, pressured a subordinate into having sex and then threatened the woman’s life and employment when she sought to end the relationship.
In a statement, TWU Local 100 said TWU International had filed internal charges against Davis in connection with the allegations. It also said that Davis had cited health reasons for his departure in his resignation letter.
Davis could not immediately be reached for comment.
Davis was elected to lead TWU Local 100 in December 2022 and was suspended by TWU International President John Samuelsen earlier this week after an internal investigation found complaints filed by the employee were credible. In a statement, the union announced that its elected Financial Secretary-Treasurer John V. Chiarello will oversee daily affairs on an interim basis until the executive board appoints a new president at its next scheduled meeting in February.
The woman, whose name was withheld by the union, said Davis pressured her into having sex during business trips as well as at union offices. When she sought to end the relationship, the woman said Davis threatened her job, her family and her life.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed the accuracy of the news reports, but requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
“You are being charged with pressuring a woman employed by Local 100 into having sexual relations with you,” Samuelsen told Davis in an internal document obtained by the Chief Leader. “Sometime after the sexual relationship ended, you took adverse employment action against this person, allegedly in connection with the cessation of the sexual relationship.”
The MTA declined to comment on the matter.
Davis has faced allegations of violence toward women in the past. An ex-girlfriend, also a transit worker, accused him of beating her on two separate occasions in 2015 and 2016.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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David Giambusso
David is the editor of the Day-of desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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