Hedge fund chief Mark Lasry has been accused of sexual harassment in a lawsuit brought by a former executive at his company. Less than a week after the billionaire filed a complaint alleging he was trying to extort $50 million from him.
A complaint filed Wednesday in New York state court alleges that Mr. Lasry, a co-founder of Avenue Capital Group and a major fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, coerced Gina Strum. He is suspected of kissing her and groping her body.
“Lasley continuously sexually abused (Gina) Stram while on the job,” the lawsuit alleges.
Gina Stram claims Mark Lasry sexually abused her for years. Faith Jason Adrian
Mr. Stram, who worked in business development at Avenue from 2009 to 2013, also sued Mr. Lasry for discrimination and retaliation. The complaint includes allegations of discrimination against Sonia Gardner, Lasry’s sister and co-founder of Avenue.
Last Friday, Lasry and Avenue filed a lawsuit alleging that Stram demanded $50 million to keep him from leaking dirt on him and the company.
“MS. Mr. Stram’s desperate attempts to claim that Mr. Lasry acted inappropriately and sexually harassed him are completely untrue,” an Avenue spokesperson told the Post on Thursday.
“Avenue filed a defamation lawsuit against her on October 18th. They refused to pay her outrageous demands. Her complaint, filed yesterday, contains additional defamatory and false claims. “Mr. Lasry and Avenue intend to respond to Mr. Stram’s false and defamatory statements and defend his reputation to the fullest extent of the law,” the representative added.
One of Mr. Stram’s attorneys, Daniel Kaiser, argued that Mr. Lasry filed the lawsuit in a preemptive attempt to silence his client.
Marc Lasry is a prominent figure in the hedge fund world, the Democratic Party, and the NBA. Sportico (via Getty Images)
Lasry, 65, who is married with five children, claims that Stram’s alleged threats began soon after she left the company.
According to Lasry’s complaint, she received an undisclosed severance package and continued to work as a consultant for Avenue for the past 10 years.
Gina Strum became Lasry’s public face during fundraising. Will Ragogino/BFA/Shutterstock
Mr. Stram’s counterclaim alleges that Mr. Lasry began sexually harassing him shortly after he joined the company and continued into this year, when he was a consultant for the company.
“Despite being married, Lasry made it clear to Stram that he desired both a romantic and sexual relationship with her,” the complaint states.
Strum was “appalled” by Lasry’s request and immediately declined, the lawsuit alleges.
But Lasry, the former owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, is said to have been undeterred by that.
“During the course of his employment, Lasley frequently forced Stram, against her wishes and without her consent, to hug her, press her breasts, and grope her,” the complaint alleges.
Lasry painted a different picture in the lawsuit.
He alleges that Stram sent him inappropriate emails and text messages that read, “You’re my favorite person.”
The tycoon has been raising money for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, including organizing a Zoom call in July to rally financial support among Wall Street moguls.
