Monta Ellis, Warriors Sued For Sexual Harassment By Former Employee

The interesting thing worth noting is that the Warriors refer to the relationship between Ellis and his accuser as a “consensual relationship.” In the lawsuit, the accuser admits that there was no relationship between her and Ellis, only an illicit texting one.

The accuser alleges that the Warriors — who she believes were informed of Ellis’ texting in January 2011 by Ellis’ wife, Juanika — conspired to protect Ellis and cover up his harassment. The alleged incidents took place in November of 2010 and Ellis was married to Juanika in July of 2010.

Erika Smith, a former Warriors community relations employee, claims that Ellis sent her dozens of unsolicited texts from a “secret cellular telephone” kept by a Golden State equipment manager that he had billed to his grandmother, including a picture of genitalia he claimed was of him. Smith further alleges that Ellis complained to Warriors management about her job performance after she would not reciprocate his attention.

Additionally, Smith alleges that the Warriors — who she believes were informed of Ellis’ texting in January 2011 by Ellis’ wife, Juanika — conspired to protect Ellis and cover up his harassment, by attempting to silence her by asking her to resign and promising her money if she chose to do so and failing to comply with regulations and laws governing investigation of sexual harassment.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Burton F. Boltuch, sent out a press release on Tuesday announcing the suit and the press conference, which will take place on Wednesday morning. Boltuch claims that he has photo evidence of sexual harassment by Ellis, sent from Ellis’ cell phone to the accuser. Said Boltuch, about the photo:

The Warriors are being accused of covering up for Ellis, and the plaintiff -- a former employee of the team -- claims that she was let go from her position with the team because of the incident.