By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 20 -- Katharina Roelcke took a job with the helicopter company ZiP Aviation, LLC based in lower Manhattan. Then she was coerced into having sex with its CEO. She sued.
On January 6, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge James L. Cott held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
The complaint quotes a ZIP press release stating, “Zip Aviation LLC is growing again. Happy to announce the addition of the new V.P. of Operations, Ms. Katharina Roelcke, bringing with her several years’ experience in the Helicopter Charter/Tourism Industry.”
But then, "Defendant SHOSHANI invited Plaintiff to have dinner with a friend and client of his. After dinner, Defendant SHOSHANI escorted Plaintiff to his private social club, 'The Soho House' for a drink, and after several moments there, Defendant SHOSHANI began kissing Plaintiff.
As a result, Plaintiff and Defendant SHOSHANI were escorted out of the club for Defendant SHOSHANI being overly physical with Plaintiff. After being escorted out of the club, Plaintiff drove to her hotel in White Plains. Defendant SHOSHANI followed Plaintiff there. Upon returning to the hotel, Defendant SHOSHANI proceeded to make sexual advances towards Plaintiff. Plaintiff felt compelled to play along for fear that Defendant SHOSHANI would terminate her employment and refuse to obtain her legal citizenship. Defendant SHOSHANI overpowered Plaintiff and forced Plaintiff to have sex with him."
Judge Cott expressed disappointment that the case, which was filed in 2015, is still on the litigation path; he said he will report up to the assigned District Judge, John G. Koeltl.
On January 20, Judge Koeltl held a proceeding, and Inner City Press covered it. Judge Koeltl referred the case for mediation to the SDNY Alternative Dispute Resolution program. If that doesn't work, cross motions for summary judgment are due February 12.
The case is Roelcke v. ZiP Aviation, LLC et al., 15-cv-6284 (Koeltl / Cott)
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