Rikers Guard says she was attacked by a superior: suit

A Rikers Island correctional officer was sexually assaulted by her boss – who then retaliated against her when she turned down his advances, she claims in a new lawsuit.

Laurice Williams said that in August 2020, Captain Morris Lewis bent down with his face near her “private area,” lifted her waist and bent her over his shoulder while holding her thigh and butt, according to the lawsuit filed Friday before the US District Court in Brooklyn and designates Lewis and the Department of Correction.

Williams “was petrified and yelled, ‘Put my f–k down!'” after Suit.

Days later, Lewis asked Williams for a bike ride, and when she turned him down, she claimed he had begun getting revenge on her, speaking harshly to her and temporarily removing her from her position on a special search team, she said in the Legal action.

In March 2021, after Williams filed an internal complaint with the Equal Employment Office, she said Lewis angrily subpoenaed her and said, “COME HERE N—A!”, according to court documents.

Williams’ EEO complaints were substantiated in July 2021 and Lewis was placed on leave the next month but reinstated in June 2022, the legal filings show.

Williams suffers from panic attacks and is unable to sleep at night as a result
“discriminatory and retaliatory conduct,” states the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

“Instead of providing assistance, the DOC allowed harassment. Instead of protecting the plaintiff, the DOC protected the perpetrator,” said Paul Liggieri, attorney for Williams.

A spokesman for the city’s legal department said it would look into the case.

A spokesman for the corrections captains union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.