Former Sen. Maria Sachs faces sexual harassment lawsuit

When Maria Sachs served in the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2016, it was not unusual to see her in three different outfits during a long day of politicking and policymaking. Now, a former legislative aide said those numerous clothing changes have left him “without the capacity for the enjoyment of life.”

Twenty-eight-year-old Matthew Damsky Monday filed sexual harassment charges against Sachs. He said the three years he worked for the 67-year-old Delray Beach Democrat left him with pain and discomfort.

The case was first reported by Gossip Extra in June when Damsky filed a sexual harassment charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Sachs denied all the charges then and has repeatedly done so since.

A Boca Raton native, Damsky resigned from Sachs' staff in February after admitting to making about $50,000 in unauthorized charges on an office credit card. 

"There is still an active criminal investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on these matters," said Ron Sachs (no relation), the senator's spokesman. "This groundless lawsuit is a sleazy attempt at payback and it would be laughable if it weren't so ludicrous — and larcenous in its intent to cash an unearned lottery ticket."

In documents filed with the EEOC and the Leon Circuit Court, Damsky lists what he said were a series of humiliating treatments he experienced working for Sachs. He claimed he was subjected to unlawful discrimination pertaining to job assignments, sexual harassment and less favorable terms of employment. Specifically, he said he endured unwelcome sexual conduct when Sachs changed her clothes in front of him in her Senate office. He also said he was forced to walk Sachs’ dog and had to shop for groceries. Damsky said he complied with the requests out of fear he would lose his job if he didn't. 

An EEOC inquiry prompted the Florida Senate to investigate. Sachs said she never changed in front of Damsky, her dog lives on 5 acres and has never been on a leash and that occasionally her staff will buy snacks for the office from her account. Sachs did not seek reelection this year.

The Senate recommended the charges be dismissed. The EEOC issued a determination of no reasonable cause in August and Damsky turned to Circuit Court this week.

Reporter James Call can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on Twitter @CallTallahassee.