Davidar "Was Asked to Leave the Company," As He and Company Face Lawsuit from Former Employee
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Penguin Canada revealed Friday that David Davidar "was asked to leave the company last month," as opposed to the original story that he chose to resign. Former rights and contract director Lisa Rundle filed a lawsuit on Thursday that alleges sexual harassment against Davidar and wrongful dismissal by Penguin Canada, seeking $100,000 from Davidar and over $400,000 from the company (CA).

Rundle asserts in Ontario court documents that Davidar "sexually harassed her repeatedly over the past three years, culminating in outright assault at the Frankfurt Book Fair last fall," the Globe and Mail writes, "and that she was fired after complaining to superiors about Davidar's 'twisted treatment." Her wrongful dismissal suit includes a claim that Penguin treated her in a "harsh, vindictive and malicious fashion" after she complained about Davidar.

In an e-mail statement, Davidar said "at Penguin's request, I agreed to publicly state that my departure was voluntary. The truth is that a former colleague accused me of sexual harassment and Penguin terminated my employment." Davidar notes that he was "utterly shocked by the allegations" of sexual harassment and is "certain that the truth will prevail." He says he was "dismayed that Penguin Canada chose to respond to them by directing me to leave Penguin." He comments further, "I had a friendship with my colleague which lasted for three years."

The suit includes what are said to be passages from e-mails Rundle says Davidar sent her. The papers claim "Davidar over time became more and more intense with his persistent protestations of lust and desire for Lisa, and in return she became increasingly disturbed and afraid."

In Penguin's own statement, they say that "Rundle was not terminated...but rather she advised the company of her decision to leave after having declined to pursue other career opportunities within the organization." Rundle's attorney Bobbi Olsen responds in a written statement, "As is outlined very clearly in the statement of claim, she states that at no time did she resign, nor consent in any manner, to the termination of her employment with Penguin." Olsen says to the Toronto Star, "Who would want to put their life through this voluntarily? This is a woman who's been left with no job. It's a narrow field in publishing and I understand it's very hard to get a job . . . It would be ludicrous to suggest that she would agree to resign, then bring all this forward."

Having said previously that Davidar's position was being eliminated and would not be filled with a new hire, the company now says that they "expect to appoint a new head of the Canadian company in the near future."