BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — A former Boston Public Health Commission worker alleges she was forced to work with a co-worker who sexually assaulted her despite her reporting the hostile work environment.
Kierra M. Cast-Preston filed a complaint Dec. 6 in Suffolk County Superior Court against Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Paulo Zevallos alleging sexual harassment and other claims.
Cast-Preston began working for the BPHC as an emergency medical technician in June of 2018, according to her complaint. She claims that during a December 2021 BPHV holiday party, Zevallos told her she was beautiful and forcefully grabbed her buttocks.
She further claims he then aggressively placed his hand up her skirt and attempted to touch her vagina. The plaintiff alleges that months after reporting the sexual assault to her lieutenant, no action was taken against Zevallos and that she was forced to continue to have contact with Zevallo.
Cast-Preston claims that due to BPHV's failure to act, she was required to work in a hostile work environment with a co-worker who had sexually harassed her and she requested a leave of absence in May of 2022. She alleges that she filed a criminal complaint against Zevallos with the Boston Police Department and claims she was forced to resign in June of 2022 due to the hostile work environment.
Cast-Preston also alleges that BPHC did not terminate Zevallos until five months after her complaint despite his unlawful behavior, which caused her emotional distress and other damages.
Cast-Preston seeks monetary relief, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Craig Levey of Bennett & Belfort PC in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A search of Suffolk County criminal records indicates no charges were filed against Zevallos.