CVC Capital Partners and Lisa Lee, a former managing director, have settled a case Ms. Lee brought in January for damages alleging there is a pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination at the private equity firm, according to a joint statement.
"Both parties believe that the private equity industry benefits from the diversity of its talent and that continuing to recruit and develop a diverse pool is an important goal,” noted the joint statement announcing a confidential agreement resolving Ms. Lee’s claims. “As part of its ongoing initiatives in this area, CVC will consult with Ms. Lee over the coming months regarding matters of diversity and inclusion, including improving opportunities for women."
Ms. Lee had alleged she had been subjected to unwanted physical contact and denigrating comments by supervisors. She also alleged that she was passed over for promotions that were offered to male colleagues, and that the firm began to give her accounts to male colleagues while she was on maternity leave. Ms. Lee filed a complaint alleging sex discrimination at CVC in January 2015 and was terminated in February of that year as part of a firm restructuring.
Neither Cara E. Greene, Ms. Lee’s attorney, a partner at law firm Outten & Golden, nor CVC Capital Partner’s lawyer Marc Bernstein, partner at law firm Paul Hastings, could be reached for comment by press time.
