Opinion
2003-05264.
Decided March 8, 2004.
In an action, inter alia, to recover damages for sexual harassment, the defendant Child Development Support Corporation appeals from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Schneier, J.), dated April 4, 2003, as denied those branches of its motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the causes of action pursuant to the New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law art 15) and the New York City Human Rights Law insofar as asserted against it.
Callan, Koster, Brady Brennan, LLP, New York, N.Y. (Warren S. Koster and Jason E. Goldberg of counsel), for appellant.
Regina L. Darby, New York, N.Y. (Stephen D. Perlmutter and Amy Christianson of counsel), for respondent.
Before: MYRIAM J. ALTMAN, J.P., NANCY E. SMITH, HOWARD MILLER, WILLIAM F. MASTRO, JJ.
DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the order is reversed insofar as appealed from, on the law, with costs, those branches of the motion which were for summary judgment dismissing the causes of action pursuant to the New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law art 15) and the New York City Human Rights Law insofar as asserted against the appellant are granted, and those causes of action are dismissed insofar as asserted against the appellant.
The plaintiff was employed by the appellant as a security guard. The defendant Gary Mitchell was her supervisor. Mitchell allegedly made vulgar remarks to her in a telephone conversation and sexually assaulted her. The plaintiff reported the sexual assault to the appellant, but never returned to work. Mitchell's employment was immediately terminated.
The plaintiff subsequently commenced this action against Mitchell and the appellant asserting, inter alia, causes of action pursuant to the New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law art 15) and the New York City Human Rights Law. The Supreme Court erred in denying those branches of the appellant's motion which were for summary judgment dismissing those causes of action insofar as asserted against it. The appellant demonstrated that it did not approve of, acquiesce in, or condone any alleged discriminatory conduct ( see Matter of State Div. of Human Rights [Greene] v. St. Elizabeth's Hosp., 66 N.Y.2d 684, 687; Matter of Totem Taxi v. New York State Human Rights Appeal Bd., 65 N.Y.2d 300, 304; Pascal v. Amscan, Inc., 290 A.D.2d 426; Escobar v. Spartan Assemblies, 267 A.D.2d 272). Further, Mitchell was not a high-level managerial employee whose conduct could be imputed to the appellant ( see Pascal v. Amscan, Inc., supra; cf. Matter of Father Belle Community Ctr. v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 221 A.D.2d 44, 54). In addition, there is no evidence that the appellant retaliated against the plaintiff for reporting the incident ( see Executive Law § 296). In opposition, the plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact. Her speculative contention that further discovery would reveal facts to support her causes of action did not warrant denial of summary judgment ( see Leggio v. County of Nassau, 281 A.D.2d 518; Moriello v. Stormville Airport Antique Show Flea Mkt., 271 A.D.2d 664).
ALTMAN, J.P., SMITH, H. MILLER and MASTRO, JJ., concur.