Jets countersue ex-executive, cite almost 4,000 deleted texts in alleged plot in opposition to group president

The New York Jets filed a countersuit Tuesday in opposition to a former vp of finance Elaine Chen, who final week sued the group, alleging she was a part of an “illegal conspiracy” to falsely accuse group president Hymie Elhai of sexual harassment. The Jets declare the hassle was meant to wreck Elhai’s status and destabilize the group’s management, in response to the submitting obtained by NJ.com.

Central to the countersuit are roughly 4,000 deleted textual content messages recovered from Chen’s husband, former vp of ticket gross sales Larry Fitzpatrick’s company-issued telephone. The group alleges within the submitting the messages present makes an attempt to mislead investigators in regards to the origin of an nameless e mail accusing Elhai of inappropriate conduct. In accordance with the submitting, the texts embrace exchanges during which Fitzpatrick despatched the e-mail to Chen and he or she allegedly responded, “fairly good.” Investigators say Fitzpatrick initially denied receiving the e-mail, then started “furiously tapping” his telephone throughout questioning, as if making an attempt to delete proof.

The 67-page countersuit accuses Chen and Fitzpatrick of working with at the very least one unnamed former worker to create and distribute the fabricated e mail. That worker reportedly confessed to sending it and implicated Fitzpatrick. The Jets’ submitting consists of claims of defamation, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference, and the group is searching for damages and reimbursement of authorized prices.

In her preliminary lawsuit, Chen denied any connection to the e-mail and mentioned her termination amounted to marital discrimination. She alleged the group focused staff who supported investigating Elhai or believed his conduct warranted disciplinary motion.

The Jets’ submitting additionally alleges further misconduct by Fitzpatrick, together with specific messages to coworkers, viewing and sharing grownup content material on firm units, and violating NFL playing insurance policies by means of participation in Tremendous Bowl squares swimming pools. The group maintains Chen was fired for trigger after their investigation revealed her participation within the alleged scheme.

Chen joined the Jets in 2010 as a finance director and was promoted to vp in 2021. Fitzpatrick, her husband, was beforehand the group’s vp of ticket gross sales. Elhai has been with the group since 2000 and have become group president in 2019.

In accordance with the Jets, Chen and Fitzpatrick sought to destabilize the franchise by falsely portraying the group as tolerant of sexual misconduct whereas concealing their very own involvement. Investigators say their findings display a coordinated effort to wreck Elhai’s skilled status.