Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in NYC Parks Department
A supervisor from the New York City Parks Department, Gerardo Suriel Martinez, is facing serious allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former employee. The suit claims he exposed himself and masturbated in front of her after she consistently rejected his inappropriate advances.
The woman, who is 36 years old, reported enduring ongoing sexual harassment throughout her six-month tenure as a park cleaner in the Bronx. According to the filed complaint, her pleas for help were met with indifference.
She began her role in March 2025 as part of a program aimed at providing job opportunities and skills training to unemployed New Yorkers. However, it wasn’t long before Suriel Martinez, 39, reportedly began making unwelcome advances.
Her attorney noted that the program workers were previously referred to as “temporary park” workers, humorously suggesting that this term was sometimes interpreted as “temporary harassment.”
Witness accounts indicate that Suriel Martinez engaged in unsettling behavior, such as winking at her and assigning her the unwelcome nickname “Estrella,” which means “star” in Spanish. He allegedly instructed her to clean the bathrooms, following her inside under inappropriate circumstances.
Once in the restroom, he is accused of closing the door and expressing his preference for large breasts while exposing himself. The complaint states that Martinez, while in this compromising position, suggested that if she provided sexual favors, she would “never have to work again.” The woman declined, citing her relationship status.
Despite her refusals, Martinez reportedly continued pressuring her for sexual encounters. In another alleged incident in July 2025, he entered a supply closet, made unwanted physical contact, and exposed himself again. This time, she managed to capture the encounter on her cell phone.
Upon realizing he was being recorded, Martinez allegedly shouted that he no longer wanted to have sex and demanded she delete the video. She reported her experiences to several supervisors and the Equal Opportunity Office but claims her concerns were dismissed, and she was advised to remain silent about the harassment.
According to her statements, when she inquired about the status of her complaint shortly before leaving her job, she was met with ignorance from her supervisors regarding any investigation into her claims.
The discomfort following these incidents prevented her from returning to her final shift. She is now reportedly dealing with significant anxiety and fear, leading her to seek damages for lost wages, emotional trauma, and punitive damages from Suriel Martinez.
Her attorney expressed the gravity of her situation, indicating she harbors fears of encountering him in public spaces and wishes to prevent such experiences from happening to others.
As legal proceedings continue, the Department of Parks and Recreation has chosen not to comment on the matter, while Suriel Martinez has not responded to inquiries.
