TeamPilipinas.info: Lawsuit accuses Cotto of sexual harassment

source: The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A former employee of Miguel Cotto filed a sexual harassment lawsuit seeking more than $500,000 from Puerto Rico's most popular boxer.

The lawsuit by Martha Chacon Acevedo argues that Cotto made unwanted romantic advances when she worked as an administrator of a residential property owned by the fighter in this U.S. Caribbean territory.

It says Chacon, a Venezuelan, gave in to Cotto's advances over two months out of fear of losing her job, and was fired in October 2008 after breaking off the relationship.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. district court in San Juan on Aug. 24. It was not reported until this week when Cotto's family released a statement dismissing it as "frivolous, empty and a total fabrication."

"We are going to leave everything in our lawyers' hands and everything will be resolved in court," Miguel Cotto Carrasquillo, the fighter's father, said in a written statement late Monday.

Cotto lost the WBO welterweight crown to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas last month when the referee stopped the fight in the 12th round. - AP

* Read the lawsuit (originally posted primerahora.com)

On appeal, the plaintiff Martha L. Chacon Acevedo, a Venezuelan national and resident of Caguas, admits that there came a time for fear of losing their livelihood for her three children and her home, agreed to Cotto approaches for two months, "when he could not with level situation morally and spiritually. "

Chacon Acevedo was hired by Cotto on 20 December 2007 to manage the complex Turabo Villas, which owns Cotto.

The lawsuit includes Cotto's wife, Melissa Guzman's father, Miguel Cotto Carrasquillo, to his brother, Jose Cotto, and a cousin, Carlos Cotto. Was filed on October 27, 2009 by Hector Eduardo Pedrosa lawyers and Luis E. Miñana, and it states that on 20 December 2007, Chacon was hired as administrator for Cotto corporation, earning $ 1,300 a month, plus the use and enjoyment of an apartment at Villas del Turabo, which payment amounted to $ 700 monthly. Their direct supervisors were Cotto and his father.

"While serving in their responsibilities as administrator, the defendant's Cotto Vazquez sexually harassed, making unwanted sexual advances and physical approaches were not welcome," stressed in the appeal.

"In addition, Cotto Vazquez offered her money to the applicant and other benefits in exchange for sex with him," he noted.

The boxer is added, he made sexually explicit comments and repeatedly squeezed her body against Chacon, as she rejected his advances and complained about his behavior.

Cotto harassment, it is alleged, occurred even if the woman was in her apartment and allegedly linked her to the window without her noticing. Even claims that the calling to tell you to peep and see what models with virtually naked, with a tiny underwear.

Cotto Carrasquillo, who was her other supervisor, says that when he came to sue for the improper conduct of his son, who told her: "Martha, you must not be alone. You need a man to look after you. I'll take care of you. "

It also contends that he instructed "to do everything her son (Miguel Cotto) prompted."

"The defendant Carrasquillo Cotto took no affirmative action to stop sexual harassment that was submitted, or to protect from inappropriate and unwanted conduct of several members of the family" remains.

In February 2008, while Cotto was in Miami, Florida, alleging that he called and asked Chacon its actions, because he was in a Victoria's Secret store and wanted to buy some sexy lingerie and with the intention that it will model.

"The applicant indecent proposition strongly rejected and refused to give personal information Cotto," complains.

Despite their objections, Cotto bought underwear and tried to deliver it with creams and lotions, and insisted that it be modeled.

When the complainant told him that his proposals were indecent, illegal and denoting a lack of respect for her, Cotto reportedly laughed and said "it was Miguel Cotto, the champion and he could do anything he wanted."

Cotto is alleged that he constantly asked us not to treat as a leader, but as a lover.

As owner of the apartment in which he lived Chacon alleged that Cotto had a key that accessed the same whenever he wanted.

"As such, came and gave him champagne and other gifts such as CDs and recordings of the series Sex and the City", it says.

On another occasion, it is alleged that Chacon Cotto instructed to go home at Palmas del Mar to oversee a remodeling. Chacon, who was with her children, claims that he was insulted and kicked out by Cotto's wife, who called it using a good offensive epithet.

On 31 October 2008, Carrasquillo Cotto's office called to inform him that he had no alternative but to dismiss her, since her son's wife was jealous and she was the real boss.