NEW YORK, Oct. 2 A New York jury awarded $11.6 million to a woman fired from Madison Square Garden for allegedly refusing New York Knicks Coach Isaiah Thomas' sexual advances.
The U.S. District Court jury found Anucha Browne Sanders was entitled to punitive damages from Madison Square Garden. Thomas wasn't ordered to pay anything.
U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch called the verdict "eminently reasonable" but Madison Square Garden and Thomas are expected to appeal.
After the verdict was announced, Thomas said: "I'm innocent, very innocent, and I did not do the things she has accused me in this courtroom of doing. I'm extremely disappointed that the jury did not see the facts in this case. I will appeal this and I remain confident in the man that I am and what I stand for and the family that I have."
Browne Sanders was fired from her $260,000-a-year job with the Knicks in 2006 and sued both Thomas and the Garden, describing her work conditions as "Animal House." Browne Sanders alleged Thomas used derogatory terms for her but then turned to sexual advances.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
