New York Comptroller's Office Paid $350,000 to Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Allegations of lewd office conduct and retaliation against whistleblower prompt costly settlement

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The New York State Comptroller's office quietly paid $350,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a 16-year veteran staffer. The lawsuit alleged a workplace culture rife with sexually explicit material and retaliation against the employee after he threatened to speak to a lawyer. The office spent an additional $900,000 on legal fees fighting the case before agreeing to the settlement.

Why it matters

The costly settlement and legal fees raise questions about accountability and workplace culture in the office of the state's chief fiscal officer, which is responsible for auditing government agencies and overseeing pension funds. The allegations and payout come as Comptroller Tom DiNapoli faces a re-election campaign.

The details

Evan Harris, an assistant to the director of audits in the office of unclaimed funds, filed the lawsuit in 2020 alleging supervisors and employees subjected him to sexual comments and circulated sexually explicit cartoons in the workplace. Harris also claimed he was retaliated against and fired for cause after threatening to speak to a lawyer. The comptroller's office fought the case for years, spending $729,760.11 on the firm Bond, Schoeneck & King and another $175,469.51 on O'Connell and Aronowitz before agreeing to the $350,000 settlement.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2020.
  • The settlement was agreed to on April 17, 2024.
  • The judge rejected the comptroller's office's motion to dismiss the case in 2023.

The players

Tom DiNapoli

New York State Comptroller who oversees the office that paid the settlement.

Evan Harris

A 16-year veteran staffer in the comptroller's office who filed the sexual harassment lawsuit.

Lawrence Schantz

The director of the office of unclaimed funds, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Robert Tambini

The audits director in the unclaimed office, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.