Woman sues NY university, says it used her as sexual ‘plaything’ to lure money from donors

Woman sues, says NY school used her as ‘plaything’

NEW YORK — A fundraiser at an upstate New York university says senior athletic department officials tried to use her as a sexual “plaything” to ply big donors.

Elizabeth Williams has sued Binghamton University and the two officials in federal court in Manhattan. She’s using the lawyer who won a highly publicized sexual harassment case against former New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.

Williams claims the university officials subjected her to a pattern of harassment beginning when she was hired late last year. She says after they told her to dress provocatively for a fundraising dinner in New York City, a donor asked how much money it would cost to have sex with her.

A spokeswoman for the 15,000-student university says it doesn’t tolerate harassment and will fight the allegations in court.

A telephone message left Thursday with Williams’ attorney, Anne Vladeck, hasn’t been returned.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — A fundraiser at an upstate New York university says senior athletic department officials tried to use her as a sexual “plaything” to ply big donors.

Elizabeth Williams has sued Binghamton University and the two officials in federal court in Manhattan. She’s using the lawyer who won a highly publicized sexual harassment case against former New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas.

Williams claims the university officials subjected her to a pattern of harassment beginning when she was hired late last year. She says after they told her to dress provocatively for a fundraising dinner in New York City, a donor asked how much money it would cost to have sex with her.

A telephone message left Thursday with Williams’ attorney, Anne Vladeck, hasn’t been returned.

A spokeswoman for the 15,000-student university had no immediate comment.