BROOKLYN (CN) - A public school administrator claims in court that his male boss sexually assaulted him in a hotel room after giving him pornography and trying to get him to join a foursome, then fired him for rebuffing the advances.
Frank Farino sued the New York City Department of Education and John Michael Quattrocchi, in Federal Court.
Farino became a teacher at P.S. 43Q in Far Rockaway in 1997, and transferred to another school 3 years later, he says in his 21-page complaint, with 27 pages of attachments.
In 2006, Farino says, he returned to P.S. 43Q as assistant principal, reporting to Quattrocchi.
The problems began in February 2009, the complaint states: "At a meeting, Quattrocchi shared with Farino stories and photographs relating to an ex-boyfriend with whom he had lost touch. Quattrocchi described how he and his ex-boyfriend 'made the perfect team' and how upset he was to be no longer in touch with this ex-boyfriend.
"Quattrocchi also told Farino that he reminded Quattrocchi of his ex-boyfriend. Quattrocchi stated that he believed her and Farino 'made the perfect team.'
"Quattrocchi then ordered Farino to locate his ex-boyfriend for him. Quattrocchi told Farino, 'You know you have to do this for me - everything will be OK,' a phrase Quattrocchi often repeated to Farino throughout 2009 and 2010 as his sexual harassment continued."
Farino says he took this as a veiled threat that "his job was on the line" if he did not comply. He says he found the ex-boyfriend: buried at a local cemetery.
"When Farino informed Quattrocchi of his findings, Quattrocchi instructed Farino to accompany him on a Saturday to visit his ex-boyfriend's grave site," the complaint states. "Believe his job security was at risk if he did not agree, Farino complied with Quattrocchi's directive."
Farino claims that Quattrocchi gave him a framed picture, a DVD and a card for joining him at the cemetery, and that he reluctantly accepted the unwanted gifts, fearing for his job.
Three months later, Farino says, Quattrocchi sent him a birthday card showing a naked man with an erection. "The front of the card states, 'It's hard to believe you're another year older!' Inside, it states, 'I suggest you take this sitting down. Happy Birthday,'" according to the complaint.
A photocopy of the front of the card is attached as Exhibit B.
Inside, Quattrocchi wrote: "No Crossed Legs ... but lots of chanting!! Happy Birthday Love John," according to the complaint.
Farino says the card made him "very uncomfortable."
Farino claims that Quattrocchi insisted on taking him to dinner, and put his hand on Farino's thigh at the restaurant.
"Shortly thereafter, Farino found a gift on his desk from Quattrocchi in the form of a Cheesecake Factory stock certificate with the message, "Now you can own your cake and eat it too!,'" the complaint states.
Farino says he and Quattrocchi attended a Staff Development for Educators conference in Las Vegas in July 2009. There, he says, Quattrocchi demanded that Farino join him at gay bars.
At one, Quattrocchi pressured him to join a couple for a foursome, but Farino turned them down, the complaint states.