Jurors Are Expected to Get Masry Case Today

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations today in the sexual harassment lawsuit brought against Thousand Oaks Mayor Ed Masry by a former employee.

During closing arguments Thursday, the jury heard the lawyer for plaintiff Kissandra Cohen describe Masry as a boss who made repeated sexual advances during the eight months Cohen worked at Masry’s Westlake Village law firm.

Cohen’s lawyer, Dan Marino, said Masry had told Cohen he would make her a star trial attorney if they had a personal relationship.

But Masry’s lawyer, Norm Watkins, told jurors that Cohen’s claims are fabrications. No one at the firm heard or saw any improper behavior by Masry, Watkins said.

Cohen, 23, contends Masry fired her from the Masry&Vittitoe; law firm in December 1999 after she refused his sexual advances. According to Cohen’s lawsuit, constant foul, sexually suggestive language by Masry, by Erin Brockovich, who works as Masry’s research director, and by others created a hostile environment.

Masry, 69, has denied all allegations and said he fired Cohen because she misrepresented her academic credentials.

He testified that when he hired Cohen out of law school, her resume was so impressive that he believed he could make her a star attorney.

During closing statements, Marino criticized Masry’s admission that no anti-harassment policy was ever distributed to employees. Marino played a video clip from a deposition in the case in which Masry angrily told Marino: “You’re trying to get $15 million out of me and you’re not going to get a dime. You’re gonna have nothing but grief out of this when this is over. I can guarantee you that.”

Watkins denied Marino’s claim that Masry is a vindictive employer. Citing the video, Watkins said his client expressed anger “because his law firm is being trashed” by Cohen’s allegations.

Cohen, who is seeking $6.6 million in damages, said she has not found work since Masry fired her. Watkins argued that Cohen has been unable to get a job matching the $120,000-a-year position Masry paid her because she applied only to firms that hire from the upper 10% of law school classes.