Former Joliet park chief Egizio denies most allegations, but indicates relationship with former employee

JOLIET – Former Joliet Park District Executive Director Dominic Egizio is denying most of the allegations made in a sexual harassment lawsuit but acknowledges some sort of relationship with a former employee, according to a response filed this week in federal court.

In its own filing, the Joliet Park District is denying nearly all allegations and demanding a jury trial on the lawsuit filed in June brought by former park district trainer Jeanetta Matichak.

The responses, which were filed separately on Monday and Tuesday, indicate there was a relationship between Egizio and Matichak.

But the responses conflict on what the park board knew about the relationship and what key board members told Egizio.

Egizio was put on administrative leave for several weeks before resigning in October after the park board hired a law firm to do an investigation into the situation. He is now director of parks and recreation with the Midlothian Park District.

In his response, Egizio denies some of the most damaging allegations made in Matichak's initial filing, including that he stalked Matichak, threatened her, and on one occasion committed a sexual assault at a hotel where he urged her to drink too much.

Egizio also denies openly making lewd remarks in front of other employees and compelling Matichak to have sex at work.

But his response does acknowledge conduct that would go beyond the normal relationship between a supervisor and employee.

Egizio "admits that he gave Plaintiff some clothing and a sex toy," his response states at one point. Egizio also acknowledges talking with Matichak "many times a day."

The response also acknowledges that Matichak brought Egizio a letter from her husband asking Egizio to leave her alone.

But Egizio denies other allegations, including that he used his authority to coerce Matichak to have sex with him.

The park district response goes further in its denials, to the point that the response denies board member conversations Egizio says did happen.

"Defendant admits that in or about March or April 2015, Park District Board President Glen Marcum told Defendant Egizio that there were rumors that he was having sex with Plaintiff," Egizio's response states.

He also admits telling Matichak that Art Schultz Jr., who was then vice president of the park board, mentioned to him "that there were rumors that Egizio was having sex with Ms. Matichak."

The response also says that the board "did not conduct an investigation."

But Egizio denies that Schultz made a lewd, congratulatory comment to him that is alleged in the Matichak lawsuit.

The Egizio response also says that Marcum "did not tell Egizio to stop compelling sex with a subordinate, and further denies that Defendant was compelling sex with a subordinate."

The park district response denies the alleged comments by Marcum and Schultz regarding rumors of a sexual relationship.

The park district response does not deny any relationship between Egizio and Matichak. But it does attempt to separate the park district from whatever relationship may have occurred.

At one point, the park district response states "that any acts of misconduct alleged against Dominic Egizio were committed outside the scope of any agency and/or employment relationship with the Park District."

The lawsuit filed by Matichak contends that Egizio's alleged conduct was tolerated by top management, including the park board, and calls for a number of actions, including sexual harassment training overseen by a court monitor.

Matichak also is seeking reinstatement in her job as trainer. She has been put on indefinite medical leave.

The park district's response denies all actions sought by Matichak.