Isiah Thomas Liable for Harassment, But Not Punitives

Updated: A federal jury has found that New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas sexually harassed a team executive.

Jurors also found that Madison Square Garden was liable for the harassment and will have to pay punitive damages, the New York Times reports. Jurors could not decide whether Thomas should pay damages, so the judge declared a mistrial on that issue.

This afternoon jurors set punitive damages at $11.6 million against Madison Square Garden and Garden chairman James Dolan, Newsday reports.

Jurors concluded that Madison Square Garden condoned Thomas’ harassment and fired Anucha Browne Sanders when she complained. Browne Sanders contended Thomas made unwanted sexual advances and had called her a "bitch" and a "ho."

Thomas issued a statement in a press conference after the verdict. “I want to say it as loud as I possibly can,” he said. “I am innocent. I’m very innocent. I did not do the things that [the plaintiff] accused me in the courtroom of doing."

Originally posted 10-02-2007 at 11:09 AM.