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3 Former Tampa Bay Downs Workers Sue The Racetrack

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2009

TAMPA - Three former cleaners at Tampa Bay Downs sued the track and three officers today, claiming they were harassed and eventually fired because one would not have sex with a janitorial supervisor.

Rosa Siam, her mother, Rafael Siam, and her nephew Rudy Siam sued the track; janitorial supervisor Tanyah Velez; Gregg Geylon, its vice president of finance; Linda Notorangelo, its human resources manager; and an unidentified male named Javier.

Rosa Siam states in the lawsuit that she and former janitorial department supervisor Caridad Rodriquez were domestic partners for nine years when she ended the relationship in September 2006.

She claims Rodriquez began to sexually harass her and her family in an attempt to force Siam to take him back.

Siam said the harassment got worse when Rodriquez was replaced by his daughter, Velez.

She said she told Geylon and Notorangelo about the harassment but they did nothing.

The lawsuit claims Rudy Siam was fired in May 2007 and the two women later that year.

The trio filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in March. The agency found the evidence didn't support a claim against the track but didn't clear it either.

Siam said the family was particularly vulnerable to the threats because they spoke little English and had no other jobs skills than cleaning.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages. It also claims that Rosa Siam is entitled to unpaid overtime wages.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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