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	Woman's Suit Alleges Firing after Complaint By Terrie Morgan-Besecker Times Leader January 26, 2011 http://www.timesleader.com/news/Woman_rsquo_s__suit_alleges__firing_after_complaint_01-26-2011.html A woman who worked for a former Episcopal priest with a history of legal troubles has filed a federal lawsuit, alleging she was fired after she complained he had been sexually harassing and abusing her for years. Patricia Mackiewicz of Wyoming alleges Gregory Malia, formerly of Laflin, forced her to go to bars with him, where he repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, including incidents in which he had indecent contact with her. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Scranton, is the latest in a string of legal troubles for Malia, who was suspended by the Diocese of Bethlehem after he was charged in July 2009 with threatening his two daughters with a gun during an alcohol-fueled dispute at a Jenkins Township bar. Malia pleaded no contest in September 2010 to several counts of reckless endangerment and simple assault, and was sentenced to two years probation. A specialty pharmacy owned by Malia, New Life Home Healthcare of South Main Street, Pittston, was raided by agents with the Office of Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Division in August 2009. No charges have been filed against Malia in connection with that raid. Malia is also a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which alleges New Life Home Healthcare improperly billed the insurer for medications provided to two of New Life's employees. Mackiewicz's lawsuit, filed by attorney Wayne Ely of Penndel, Pa., alleges Mackiewicz endured years of sexual harassment and verbal abuse at the hands of Malia, who routinely called her offensive and derogatory names. According to the suit, Mackiewicz was employed from February 2007 to June 2009 as a personal assistant and property manager for New Life Home Care, Chapel Properties Inc. and Spectrum Inc., businesses that were owned in whole or part by Malia. The suit alleges Malia frequently required Mackiewicz to go to bars with him, including one instance in February 2008 where he forced her to go to a strip club and witness him receive a lap dance from a stripper. In another incident, Malia and Mackiewicz were at a bar when Malia attempted to unhook Mackiewicz's bra. When she protested, he told her to "stop being a prude and to have some fun." The suit alleges Malia then pushed Mackiewicz to the ground and forcibly removed her bra. The suit further alleges that Malia became intoxicated while at a bar with Mackiewicz in November or December 2008. Mackiewicz escorted Malia to his home, where he disrobed and directed her to rub oil on his genital area and chest. After each of the incidents, Malia threatened Mackiewicz that if she told anyone she would be fired, the suit says. Mackiewicz was laid off from her position on June 25, 2009, allegedly due to a lack of funding. The suit contends the real reason was she complained about Malia's treatment of her. Malia did not return a phone message seeking comment. The suit names New Life Home Care, Chapel Properties and Spectrum as defendants. It does not name Malia personally. Contact: tmorgan@timesleader.com
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