A sexual harassment and discrimination fight involving John Hailer just came to light, though the case was almost four years ago.

Beth Healy and Stephanie Ebbert of the Boston Globe report that in January 2011 Natixis Global Asset Management [profile] settled, for seven figures, related to accusations made against Hailer and Natixis by former Natixis managing regional director Paula Rezza. Rezza, who is married, claimed that Hailer (who was then separated from his wife) propositioned her in August 2007. She accused Natixis of improperly negotiating with her a year later over her U-5 and a $100,000 severance in May 2008, right after she requested her second maternity leave.

The Globe first mentioned the settlement in a recent article on the business dealings of Massachusetts' governor-elect, Charlie Baker, who served on Natixis' mutual fund board. Baker's brother is married to Hailer's sister.

Rezza filed a discrimination and harassment lawsuit in 2009, and a wrongful death one in 2010 (as she alleged that she lost the baby a week after she was fired). Natixis and Hailer denied that the propositioning and the improper exit interview negotiating ever took place.

The Globe details Rezza's claims, as well as those of Natixis employees (including Hailer). It even includes the pickup line Rezza alleges Hailer used. Oh, and one more tidbit: the paper reports that Natixis' board in Paris, but not its mutual fund boards, was made aware of the suits and the settlement. 

Edited by: Neil Anderson, Managing Editor


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