Originally Syndicated on September 12, 2024 @ 10:04 am
Juan Monteverde, the founding partner of Monteverde & Associates PC, has faced sexual harassment charges from a colleague. Continue reading for more information.
Alexandra Marchuk, a worker of Monteverde and Associates PC, was sexually assaulted.
Alexandra Marchuk, a former employee at Monteverde and Associates PC, alleged that she was sexually assaulted while working at the firm. Juan Monteverde, a founding partner at Monteverde and Associates PC and former attorney at Faruqi & Faruqi, was accused of sexually harassing Marchuk during her employment.
In 2013, Marchuk filed a lawsuit against Monteverde, claiming that he had sexually assaulted her and subjected her to ongoing sexual harassment while she worked at the firm. The allegations against Monteverde gained widespread attention due to the serious nature of the charges.
Marchuk, a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, held a position at Faruqi & Faruqi LLP, where Monteverde was a partner and responsible for corporate litigation and investor acquisition.
Lubna M. Faruqi, managing partner at Faruqi & Faruqi LLP, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that Marchuk’s claims were fabricated as an act of retaliation against her former employer.
Allegations of Sexual Harassment: How Juan Monteverde, Founding Partner at Monteverde and Associates PC, Harassed Marchuk
Marchuk had previously worked as a summer associate at the firm in 2010. According to the complaint, Juan Monteverde, the founding partner at Monteverde and Associates PC, initially appeared polite and flirtatious towards her.
However, the situation took a troubling turn as Monteverde began occasionally insulting Marchuk in front of others using sexually explicit language.
One disturbing incident described in the complaint occurred during a meal following a happy hour where Monteverde heavily consumed alcohol while Marchuk had only consumed a half-glass of wine. Despite her refusal, Monteverde insisted that she consume more drinks, referring to her as an “expensive date” and implying inappropriate expectations for the evening.
Marchuk believed this to be an isolated incident but soon realized it was not.
These events occurred in 2010, during a challenging job market, when Marchuk initially earned a salary of $75,000 from the firm. After completing her degree in 2011, she joined Faruqi & Faruqi, where she continued to experience sexual harassment from Monteverde, despite earning a respectable but not particularly high salary.
Marchuk attempted to talk with a partner, but it didn’t work:
The following day, Marchuk spoke with Emily Komlossy, another partner at Faruqi & Faruqi. Emily expressed sympathy for her situation, pointing out that most people were aware of Juan’s inappropriate behaviour towards her.
She also agreed that Marchuk’s criticism of Juan Monteverde, the founding partner of Monteverde and Associates PC, would be inappropriate given his prominent position.
Emily and Faruqi eventually split up.
Additional Allegations Against Monteverde and Associates PC
Amidst numerous allegations in the complaint, a few specific incidents are highlighted.
After a hearing on September 20, Juan Monteverde, founding partner at Monteverde and Associates PC, reportedly engaged in binge-drinking once again. On the way home, he expressed annoyance, implying that he didn’t expect Marchuk to go out with him. He then minimized the rejection, claiming he preferred good conversation over sexual activity.
During their conversation, Monteverde learned that Marchuk and her cousin shared a modest apartment, with Marchuk having lost a coin toss for the larger bedroom. In a jest, Monteverde suggested that he would have paid Marchuk to stay at her place and even joked about paying her for dates.
The lawsuit alleges that Monteverde made inappropriate comments about Marchuk’s body in the presence of other Faruqi & Faruqi lawyers. On one occasion, when he gave Marchuk a binder, he insinuated to another coworker that they would receive better office supplies if they had a body like Marchuk’s.
In another incident, during a discussion about a lawsuit involving BJ’s Wholesale, Monteverde made a crude comment to Marchuk regarding his understanding of “BJs.” When a male attorney expressed discomfort, Monteverde dismissed it, suggesting that Marchuk either tolerated or enjoyed such remarks.
These allegations paint a picture of a work environment where inappropriate behavior and comments were reportedly tolerated and even encouraged by Monteverde at Monteverde and Associates PC.
When Rejection Led to Assault: Alexandra Marchuk’s Ordeal with Monteverde and Associates PC
As Alexandra Marchuk continued to reject Juan Monteverde, founding partner at Monteverde and Associates PC, his behavior reportedly turned more aggressive. According to the lawsuit, he began addressing her harshly and belittling her for minor issues.
Marchuk alleges that Monteverde forced her to work weekends but downplayed the significance of her efforts by delaying acknowledgment of her work.
During Faruqi & Faruqi’s holiday party on December 15, 2011, Marchuk inquired about her year-end bonus. Monteverde informed her that he couldn’t recommend her for the bonus, expressing concerns about appearing to provide unofficial financial support due to her complaint against him.
Marchuk felt this was a form of retaliation for filing the complaint, especially as she had hoped to use the bonus to cover essential expenses.
In addition to the disappointment of potentially losing her job, Marchuk felt pressured when Monteverde suggested she accompany him to the office. Following his instructions, Marchuk reluctantly went with him, feeling immense strain throughout their interaction.
According to the lawsuit, Monteverde forcefully assaulted Marchuk in his office, despite her protests. He allegedly pushed her to the floor, engaged in non-consensual sexual activity, and instructed her to keep the incident secret. Marchuk left the office traumatized and sought medical and legal assistance shortly after.
Following the incident, Marchuk claims she was forced to resign from the law firm after just four months of employment. She also alleges that Faruqi & Faruqi began mocking her ordeal. Seeking justice, Marchuk filed a lawsuit demanding compensatory damages of $2 million and punitive damages of at least $5 million.
Where is Monteverde and Associates PC Now?
Currently, Monteverde and Associates PC is headquartered in Culver City, California, with Juan E. Monteverde serving as a partner.
Their New York office is situated in the Empire State Building at 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 4405, New York, NY 10118, USA. They can also be reached at 212-971-1341.
Specializing in securities law, the firm remains dedicated to its legal practice.
Conclusion
This incident sheds light on the pervasive issue of powerful males sexually harassing their female colleagues with impunity. Besides Juan Monteverde, other individuals have allegedly avoided accountability for similar behavior.
According to reports, a female colleague purportedly received money at her desk before being summoned to his office for a “private meeting.” These actions underscore the disturbing nature of such behavior.
Unfortunately, there appears to be no change in Juan Monteverde’s conduct. It is disconcerting to contemplate that Marchuk may not have been his only victim. There could be numerous other women who endured similar mistreatment but lacked the means to address it.
Both Marchuk and others in similar situations found themselves powerless to take action against such egregious behavior.
