A New York City Parks supervisor is accused of repeatedly harassing and assaulting a temporary employee, culminating in an alleged incident of public masturbation, according to a lawsuit filed in Bronx Supreme Court. The lawsuit, filed June 19, claims the accuser faced "unrelenting sexual abuse" over six months while working as a parks cleaner.
The accuser, identified as a 36-year-old woman, began working for the department in October 2025 through the Park Opportunity Program (POP), a temporary employment initiative. According to the lawsuit, her supervisor, Hairold Suriel Martinez, 39, initiated unwanted advances almost immediately.
Attorneys for the accuser stated that POP workers were sometimes referred to as "Temporary P—y" workers within the department. The lawsuit alleges that Martinez gave the woman an unwanted nickname, "Estrella," and would wink and lick his lips at her.
By April 2026, the alleged harassment escalated, the lawsuit claims. Martinez reportedly instructed the woman to clean a park bathroom, followed her inside, closed the door, and made sexually explicit comments, stating he "liked big breasts" and "wanted" her. The suit alleges that he then dropped his pants, exposing himself and masturbating, while offering to prevent her from having to work again if she performed oral sex on him. The accuser states she refused and indicated she had a boyfriend.
In July 2026, the accuser alleges Martinez followed her into another supply closet, touched her breasts, and masturbated again. This encounter was allegedly recorded by the accuser on her phone, which was in her pocket. When Martinez realized he was being filmed, he reportedly became angry and demanded she delete the footage.
The lawsuit states the accuser had previously complained about Martinez's behavior to other supervisors, her career coach, and the department's Office of Equal Opportunity. However, she claims her concerns were dismissed, and she was told to "suck it up."
She was informed an investigator would handle her case. On her second-to-last day, when she inquired about the status of the investigation, a supervisor allegedly became agitated and claimed no knowledge of it. Feeling unsafe following the alleged encounters, the accuser did not return for her final day of work.
The lawsuit seeks damages for lost wages and emotional distress from the city and punitive damages from Martinez. The accuser's attorney stated that she experiences fear and anxiety and does not want others to suffer a similar experience.
The Department of Parks and Recreation declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Martinez did not respond to requests for comment.