NEW YORK -- Two well-known industry figures --Phil Bakes, chairman
& CEO of Far & Wide Travel Corp., and Dan McKinnon,
chairman and president of North American Airlines and a former
Civil Aeronautics Board chairman, are defendants in a lawsuit
charging sexual harassment of an employee at the Wings Club.
Alison Minton, who was the club's general manager from 2000 to
2002, sued the men in the Supreme Court of New York in Manhattan
last week.
Because both men were officers of the New York establishment
during the relevant time period, Minton's suit named the Wings Club
as a defendant, too, saying it was liable for the officers' actions
and that it owed her $45,333 in severance and other
obligations.
Long Island attorney Rob Milman, who represents the defendants,
said Monday the suit stems from the unhappiness of "a disgruntled
employee" and the defendants are "confident that once we have the
opportunity to present our case, this legal action will be
dismissed based on the merits."
He also said Minton had quit her job and filed a complaint with
the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission that was
dismissed.
However, Robert Ottinger, Minton's attorney, said the EEOC did
not dismiss the case but, rather, issued Minton a "right-to-sue"
letter, which she needed to proceed with litigation.