The Detroit Pistons are in the middle of one of the most horrifying crises in perhaps the last decade. A female employee named DeJanai Raska has accused her boss and Pistons’ assistant GM Rob Murphy of s*xually harassing her incessantly. Raska claimed that she stayed silent about countless instances of Murphy cornering and targeting her because she feared losing her job. After 16 months of living in fear, she finally spoke about the horrors of working with the executive.
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Raska spoke with Detroit Free Press in a shocking interview where she accused Murphy of predatory behavior. Murphy, who was a highly appreciated Detroiter, allegedly hounded his assistant for months.
In the interview published by Free Press, DeJanai talked about how Rob Murphy used his authority to not only harass her with no regard for repercussions but even kept up his predatory behavior in front of his daughter. This case, one of the many in the history of the NBA’s long list of s*xual harassment allegations, is again highlighting the glaring issue with the way some of the teams create anxious and fearful work environments for women being targeted by men in authority.
DeJanai Raska makes horrifying allegations against Pistons executive
In her interview reported by the Detroit Free Press, Raska shared several details of her ordeal. She claimed that Murphy targeted her for months without any inhibitions.
According to her, the assistant GM would touch her buttocks and even grope her privates in front of her 4-year-old daughter. She further alleged that Murphy subjected her to nonconsensual kissing and humiliating comments.
Raska claimed Rob Murphy said that he wants to “put a baby in her.”
As Murphy’s executive assistant, she had to work closely with him. The 50-year-old took advantage of these factors. At one point, she alleged that he even attempted to force her on a bed but she fortunately managed to escape.
DeJanai Raska: “It felt like I had a dangerous secret. I felt like if the wrong person found out, I could be fired.” She continued, “Silence is not an option. It’s not for me. It shouldn’t be for any woman … This is my chance to voice the truth … and to take my power back.”
Detroit fired Rob Murphy 7 months after Raska’s allegations
Raska, now a former employee of the Pistons, had reportedly accused Murphy of harassment 7 months ago. The franchise placed Murphy on leave following DeJanai’s accusations and has now finally fired him.
In their statement, they clearly stated that he would not be employed by the organization in any capacity. Although they did not mention the accusations explicitly, they did mention the involvement of a former employee in their announcement.
“Rob Murphy no longer works for the Detroit Pistons or Motor City Cruise, in any capacity. Mr. Murphy was recently terminated for violation of company policy and the terms of his employment agreement. The facts that gave rise to his termination surfaced during a review, assisted by a national law firm, of allegations made by a former employee.”
This won’t be easy for Detroit going forward. There are some serious questions regarding their work environment. With offices taking extra steps to ensure healthy and safe spaces for their minority employees, the existence of men like Murphy in any NBA franchise’s office is unacceptable.
