State Assemb. Joseph P. DeStefano, of Suffolk, sued for alleged sexual harassment by former staffer

A former staffer for Suffolk State Assemb. Joseph P. DeStefano has filed a lawsuit against her former boss, alleging he sexually harassed her when he pressured her into a romantic relationship and didn’t pay her for numerous hours of overtime she worked while employed in his Medford office...

Lynn Zigrosser, who worked as the director of community affairs for DeStefano for 19 months beginning in January 2023, said DeStefano "forced [her] to resign" on Sept. 18, 2024, about a month after they broke up because "their relationship became more hostile" due to his "frustration over his lack of control over [her] and her availability to see him," according to the October 2024 complaint filed in State Supreme Court.

Zigrosser’s lawsuit claims DeStefano violated New York Labor Law for failing to pay her overtime and minimum wage and violated the state’s Human Rights Law protecting women from "quid pro quo" sexual harassment by "coercing [Zigrosser] to have sexual relations with him to keep her job." She’s seeking unpaid wages, as well as punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

DeStefano’s attorney, Keith J. Frank, of Uniondale, argued that his client is entitled to qualified immunity against the claims as a state employee in a motion to dismiss the suit.

"The claims of the Plaintiff are denied and we will not litigate this case in the media" Frank said in email on Thursday. "We will vigorously defend Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano’s reputation in Court."

A staffer who answered the phone at DeStefano’s Medford office Thursday and would only identify himself as "Matthew," said DeStefano was unavailable and he was told to say the following if anyone called about the lawsuit: "The office has no further comment at this time and the assemblyman is awaiting further litigation."

Zigrosser, who said she was paid a salary of $40,000 in 2023 and $41,000 in 2024, said she initially resisted DeStefano’s advances toward her, when he attempted to kiss her on two occasions during campaign events in March and April 2024, before she acquiesced, court papers state.

"On or about May 28, 2024, at an event in Albany, New York, [Zigrosser] gave in to [DeStefano’s] advances and began a romantic relationship with him," Zigrosser said in the lawsuit, adding that since he was her employer "she felt she had no choice but to give in to his sexual advances."

The relationship, which DeStefano announced to Alice Painter, his chief of staff, lasted about two months, the lawsuit said. DeStefano, 64, became "possessive and controlling" and "would regularly go through [Zigrosser’s] phone and question her about who she was talking to."

Zigrosser also claims she was incorrectly classified as a salaried employee and was not paid overtime. Zigrosser said in the complaint that she worked 50 or more hours weekly, adding that she was regularly required to attend political events in Albany, nearby Troy and on Long Island, making her pay hourly rate less than the legally required minimum wage in New York State. The current minimum wage is $16.50 in New York City and on Long Island and $15.50 in the rest of the state.

Reached by telephone Thursday, Zigrosser’s attorney, Saul D. Zabell, of Bohemia, said in a brief conversation: "The matter is now proceeding before the court of claims."

DeStefano, a Republican in his fourth term representing the 3rd Assembly District, says in his official biography that he’s married.

By Nicole Fuller

nicole.fuller@newsday.com@NicoleFuller

Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.