Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photographer Sues Boss For Sexual Harrassment
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 1, 2010
Modified Sep 1, 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
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 1, 2010
Modified Sep 1, 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 female photographer is suing her former boss, the head of Pier 59 Studios at Chelsea Piers, for sexual harassment. Maryam Sayigh's $2 million suit accuses Federico Pignatelli of sunbathing nude in front of her, propositioning her, and forcing her to pick up women for him.
Sayigh, 35, says that she started working for Pignatelli as his executive assistant in June 2008, and was soon swept into a European business trip with him. She was cajoled into sleeping with him aboard his boat in the Mediterranean Sea, a decision she felt "was the only way she could stay at the company." She claims to only have slept with him twice, then rebuffed his later advances, and never got the promotion she thought she was promised: she says he promised that he would open a modeling agency for her to run and that she could be his No. 2 at Pier 59. But by February 2009, she was fired.
Pignatelli refutes her claims about promising her a job, and denies they ever had sex, saying she's too "unattractive" for him: "She's not the type of woman I would sleep with. I have plenty of women I can sleep with, so why would I sleep with an employee?" Pignatelli says that Sayigh was a disgruntled employee, a "low-quality woman," and that she was extorting him.
Sayigh responded to the badmouthing in the News today, showing off pictures of herself with Pignatelli in Saint Tropez, France, and the island of Sardinia: "If you're that into yourself, then you don't let yourself be seen in the most prestigious places in the world with an unattractive woman...I don't think I'm ugly."
Tagged
Federico Pignatelli
Maryam Sayigh
photographers
pier 59 studios
sexual harrassment
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
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
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
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
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 .