Soap Opera Continues at Housing Authority

PHILADELPHIA (CN) - A former Philadelphia Housing Authority employee says she "feared for her life and began to be reluctant to leave her house" because of a campaign of intimidation and retaliation meant to punish her for complaining about sexual harassment from former Executive Director Carl Greene, and to prevent her from disclosing fraud committed by Greene.

The allegations involving Greene and alleged fraud at the Housing Authority have provided fodder for Philadelphia media for months. Greene was fired in September after a string of allegations involving sexual harassment and financial mismanagement. He sued the PHA board 2 weeks before it did fire him, claiming it had effectively fired him already, without due process.

Moneke Thomas, 38, who worked as a senior management specialist, says that shortly after resolving a discrimination charge brought before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she became aware of "former and present employees of the defendant following her and being present at restaurants and other facilities" she visited.

She says a former inspector for the Housing Authority repeatedly tailed her in a black Nissan Maxima. So, "In June 2009, plaintiff moved to a gated apartment complex assuming she would be safer," according to her complaint in the Court of Common Pleas.

"In August 2009, plaintiff attempted to enter the gated complex where she lived and was forced to stop her vehicle because a black Nissan Maxima was stopped in the middle of the street. [Former Inspector] Michael Williams was standing outside the black Nissan Maxima talking to a local police officer."

Thomas says the intimidation continued for months.

"In September 2009, someone dumped a pile of dirt and leave in front of plaintiff's garage," the complaint states.

"In October 2009, large flower pots in front of plaintiff's home were knocked over."

Thomas says she "found several pieces of her mail tampered with."

"Plaintiff became tremendously distraught over the face that she was being followed by PHA agents, servants, workers, employees or other representatives. She feared for her life and began to be reluctant to leave her house."

Thomas demands more than $150,000 from Greene and the Philadelphia Housing Authority, alleging negligent hiring and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Thomas is represented by Joanne Rathgeber with Hill Wallack of Yardley, Pa.

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