The Detroit Pistons fired assistant common supervisor Rob Murphy following a seven-month suspension and investigation into office misconduct with a feminine former worker, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
The crew confirmed Murphy’s termination for violation of firm coverage and the phrases of his employment settlement on Wednesday — a day earlier than his accuser DeJanai “DJay” Raska filed a lawsuit towards the Pistons and 50-year-old Murphy.
Raska — a 32-year-old mom and Murphy’s former government assistant — filed the sexual discrimination and harassment lawsuit Thursday, alleging she was abused, harassed and assaulted by Murphy.
Raska informed the Detroit Free Press that Murphy, who she trusted as a mentor, used his job to make her his “sexual goal” – alleging he groped her non-public components in entrance of her 4-year-old daughter.
Raska alleged that Murphy sexually harassed her for months behind closed doorways whereas she labored as his government assistant, claiming he grabbed her buttocks a number of instances, subjected her to undesirable kissing, typically informed her she aroused him and stated he wished to “put a child in her.”
Raska additionally alleged Murphy tried to drive her to have intercourse, however she managed to push him off of her as he held her down on a mattress.
“It felt like I had a harmful secret,” Raska informed the outlet, including that she stayed silent for 16 months. “I felt like if the mistaken individual came upon, I might be fired.”
Raska additionally informed the Free Press she misplaced her job in Could 2022 when Murphy despatched a faux e-mail claiming she had resigned to the Pistons’ human assets division.
Raska stated she lived with worry and anxiousness for months, till she couldn’t take it anymore.
“Silence shouldn’t be an possibility,” Raska stated. “It’s not for me. It shouldn’t be for any girl … That is my probability to voice the reality … and to take my energy again.”
Murphy’s firing got here after the Pistons positioned him on depart in Oct. 2022, following an investigation into an allegation that he engaged in office misconduct with a feminine former worker.
“Rob Murphy now not works for the Detroit Pistons or Motor Metropolis Cruise, in any capability,” the crew stated in a press release. “Mr. Murphy was lately terminated for violation of firm coverage and the phrases of his employment settlement.
“The info that gave rise to his termination surfaced throughout a overview, assisted by a nationwide regulation agency, of allegations made by a former worker.”
After the allegations have been made, Murphy “didn’t return to the office previous to his termination,” in accordance with the crew.
The Pistons added that “as a result of it is a personnel matter, no additional particulars will probably be forthcoming presently.”
Murphy — a Detroit native and beloved hometown determine in sports activities — was promoted to assistant common supervisor final offseason after spending the 2021-22 season because the president of the Pistons’ G League affiliate, the Motor Metropolis Cruise.
Previous to the professionals, Murphy was the pinnacle coach at Jap Michigan for 10 seasons, from 2011-21.
He beforehand served as an assistant coach at Kent State and Syracuse.
Murphy additionally was an affiliate coach at Detroit Crockett and Central Excessive Colleges within the Nineteen Nineties.
