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Palisades Park NJ, Gina Kim, the former Borough Clerk of Palisades Park, has filed a seven-count lawsuit in Bergen County Superior Court, accusing Mayor Paul Kim and others of creating a hostile work environment, engaging in gender discrimination, and retaliating against her. The lawsuit stems from her 15-year tenure with the borough, including her role as Borough Clerk since 2015.
According to Kim’s attorney, Richard Malagiere, the lawsuit alleges that during the early stages of her pregnancy, Kim was sexually harassed by Mayor Paul Kim and his associates, leading to a toxic work environment. Despite her attempts to seek help, Kim’s pleas were ignored, and she claims she faced retaliation for speaking out.
“Ms. Kim’s efforts to bring attention to the hostile work environment were met with indifference, and she was ultimately forced to leave her position, taking a 50% pay cut,” Malagiere stated. Kim is now seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Allegations of Harassment
The lawsuit details multiple incidents of alleged sexual harassment by Mayor Paul Kim dating back to 2018 when he was first elected as a councilman. Among the accusations are inappropriate comments and behavior, including the mayor discussing his prostate issues and making degrading remarks about Kim in front of her colleagues. The lawsuit also claims the mayor regularly initiated inappropriate sexual conversations and made Kim feel unsafe in his presence.
Additionally, the suit alleges that the facility’s manager, Lee, engaged in further harassment by spying on Kim and frequently invading her workspace, despite having no need to be there.
Ignored Complaints
Despite filing numerous grievances between 2018 and 2024, Kim asserts that her complaints were largely ignored by the borough’s attorneys and labor counsel. Her attempts to address the harassment went unanswered, according to the lawsuit.
When Kim accepted a new position in Oakland with a significant pay reduction, the harassment allegedly followed. The lawsuit claims that the Palisades Park police director contacted her new employer, requesting passwords Kim had allegedly taken with her, which she states was an attempt to further retaliate against her.
Seeking Damages
Kim’s lawsuit seeks compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to her reputation, as well as punitive damages for what she describes as “willful, discriminatory, and malicious” behavior by the defendants. The amount of damages will be determined at trial.
Borough Attorney Allen Roth stated he was unaware of any complaints served to the borough regarding Gina Kim and declined further comment.
The lawsuit underscores the ongoing challenges faced by employees who experience harassment and retaliation in the workplace, bringing attention to the importance of accountability and workplace protections.
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