Jets Respond to Former Employee’s Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation
The New York Jets have publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by former employee Elaine Chen, who claims she was terminated in retaliation for her involvement in a sexual misconduct investigation against team president Hymie Elhai. In a strongly worded statement provided to Fox News Digital, the Jets categorically denied Chen’s allegations and announced they are filing legal counterclaims against Chen and her husband, Larry Fitzpatrick, who previously served as the team’s Vice President of Ticket Sales & Services. This dispute has quickly escalated into a complex legal battle with serious accusations from both sides, highlighting the challenges organizations face when dealing with workplace misconduct allegations.
According to Chen’s lawsuit, she was fired as part of a broader effort by the Jets to target “anyone who supported the allegations against Elhai and/or the belief that Mr. Elhai’s sexual conduct warranted an actual investigation and/or disciplinary action.” Chen further alleges that her husband was terminated after he “confirmed” the allegations during the investigation process. These claims paint a picture of an organization potentially attempting to silence those who raised concerns about leadership conduct. If proven true, such actions would represent serious violations of workplace protections designed to encourage reporting of misconduct without fear of reprisal.
The Jets, however, present a dramatically different version of events. In their statement, the organization claims that not only were the allegations against Elhai baseless, but that the email at the center of the harassment claims was actually “part of a deliberate and unlawful conspiracy” involving Chen, Fitzpatrick, and other current and former employees. The team specifically alleges that Chen “knowingly participated in the fabricated email and lied to the company about her involvement,” while Fitzpatrick “lied about his role in sending the fabricated email and attempted to obstruct the investigation by deleting over 4,000 text messages.” The Jets further claim these text messages implicated Chen “in the scheme from its inception” and that a former employee referenced in the lawsuit has already admitted “that the allegations of harassment by Mr. Elhai had no factual basis.”
What makes this case particularly unusual is the Jets’ decision to comment publicly on active litigation. The organization acknowledged this departure from typical practice, stating they felt “compelled to do so immediately given Ms. Chen’s decision to continue the unlawful conspiracy through litigation and make the circumstances of her termination by the Jets a matter of public record.” The Jets characterized Chen’s legal claims of marital status discrimination and retaliation as “meritless, legally and factually,” insisting she was fired “for legitimate and lawful business reasons, specifically, for her egregious misconduct.” This aggressive public stance suggests the organization is prepared for a contentious legal battle to defend both its reputation and that of its president.
The case raises important questions about corporate investigations into misconduct allegations and the protections afforded to those who participate in them. The Jets noted in their statement that they had “conducted multiple company-wide confidential surveys by outside firms” prior to the disputed email, and “no allegations of harassment were raised by Ms. Chen, her husband, or anyone else.” This detail appears intended to establish that the organization had proper reporting channels in place and that the allegations against Elhai emerged not through these legitimate channels but through what the team characterizes as a coordinated scheme. At the same time, Chen’s lawsuit suggests a potential chilling effect on reporting misconduct when it involves high-ranking executives.
As this legal dispute unfolds, it will likely draw attention from across the sports industry and beyond, highlighting the challenges organizations face in addressing misconduct allegations while ensuring fair process for all involved. The Jets have indicated they “do not intend to comment further while legal proceedings are underway,” suggesting the next developments will come through formal legal channels rather than public statements. Fox News Digital reported they were unable to reach an attorney for Chen for comment, leaving her direct response to the Jets’ counterclaims unknown at this time. Both sides have now staked out stark positions, with serious accusations of misconduct that extend beyond the original harassment allegations to include claims of conspiracy, obstruction, and retaliation, ensuring this case will be closely watched as it proceeds through the legal system.
