Elaine Chen, a former vice president of finance for the Jets Organization, has filed a lawsuit against the team.[1] This suit alleges that Chen was retaliated against after complaining of sexual harassment by team president Hymie Elhai. [2]
The lawsuit also alleged that an anonymous email was sent to several employees which accused Elhai of sending inappropriate text messages and making inappropriate taunts and comments to female employees.[3]
Chen alleges that she and her husband, Larry Fitzpatrick, who was the Jets vice president of ticket sales, were fired in retaliation for making claims against Elhai.[4] She said that her husband received a copy of the anonymous email and was “interrogated” about it.[5] When he confirmed the allegations, he was soon fired.
Chen herself stated during the investigation by the Jets that she had “no firsthand knowledge” of the claims, but that she had heard that Elhai had harassed other employees.[6] Chen alleged in her lawsuit that “the Jets said they were firing her because they could no longer trust her and that she ‘failed to put the company’s interest at the forefront of (her) decision-making amid a conflict of interest”. [7] Chen also alleged that there were at least two other employees who received the email and were not fired. [8]
The Jets then filed a counterclaim against Chen, alleging defamation, civil conspiracy, tortious interference and breach of contract.[9] Court documents filed by the Jets included screenshots of alleged text messages and emails between Chen and Fitzpatrick.[10] The Jets alleged that “This lawsuit is nothing more than a desperate extension of the conspiracy and an attempt to shakedown NYJ, which is no longer paying Chen’s or Fitzpatrick’s salaries, and to avoid the inevitable and just consequences of their misconduct.”[11] The Jets are seeking monetary damages from Chen. This includes the costs of the suit and attorneys’ fees.[12]
[1] Rosenblatt, Zach, and Russini, Dianna, Former Jets employee accuses team of retaliation amid sexual misconduct investigation, The Athletic (Oct. 3, 2025)
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] ESPN, Jets sued by former executive over alleged retaliation, ESPN News Services (Oct. 3, 2025)
[5] Rosenblatt and Russini, supra note 1.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Thompson, Jackson, Jets countersue former employee for defamation and conspiracy after she alleged retaliation, Fox News (Oct. 7, 2025)
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
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